Memory Lane Southend Town Centre

[The Big Dady]

Anyone else recall walking down the High Street accompanied by that near-overpowering smell of roasting coffee ? I think it came from one of the shop's just on the far side of Caters ?

Yay! Definitely.

It was the coffee shop next to where Top Shop was.

Can't for the life of me remember it's name, though.

Well, it definitely wasn't Costa, Cafe Nero, Starbucks or the other dozen or so similar types that now seem to vie for space in the High Street's with the Pound stores.....

It was The Planters Restaurant, they roasted loads of fresh coffee in there and had big fans to extract the smell out onto the High Street, I can remember reading somewhere that the owner said that the smell doubled his trade.

 

[kaymac]

Ah yes, Planters - loved that place. Another retailer sadly lost to the grand plan.

 

[AndyT]

Of course, Planters. MO, BD!

How could I forget!

 

[rigsby]

I'm don't want to spoil anyone's fun but some of these old photos are dangerous. Pedestrians crossing roads and cars clearly stopping for them with out so much as 4 way set off traffic lights, let alone a multi million pound traffic management system. Our youth have no idea how we suffered back in the day.


Who wants independent shops and having to physically go there and enjoy the experience. Back then there were way to many local businesmen employing local people. Many off them would flaunt their wealth and donate land for free parking and local children to play football on. This caused years of missery for me on a Sunday morning.

Anyway must dash, as i can smuggly order something on Amazon. I might even tell everyone on my several forms of social media.

 

[The Big Dady]

Very early coloured pic of Southend High Street



Southend Victoria Circus 1966



Southend High Street 1968



Another early Southend High Street (Date unknown)



Southend Hill Street looking south Cliftown Road on the right, and the entrance with railings to the Gents and Ladies underground toilets on the right.



Southend High Street the same Toilets as above years later.



Southend High Street looking north with Keddies on the right. 1980



Southend High Street looking south towards Pier Hill. 1905

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

One thing that is noticeable from the photos of the High Street thriving is all the buses.

Such a shame that Southend became such a car dominated place as the traffic chokes it.

 

[The Big Dady]

Garons the Fishmongers and Greengrocers Southend High Street (Date unknown)



Garons Market Store Southend High Street (Date Unkown)

 

[KevinJH]

Ok, gonna throw another one out there for you; does anyone (male, in this case) remember being taken to the barbers in or around Victoria Circus ? The caveat here though is that this barber shop was below ground and there was a row of about five, maybe six chairs and all the barbers wore white coats. I've a feeling it was on the same side of the road as where the old Garons was but I may be mistaken. I also recall - being so young and not having a choice then - they only did short back 'n sides

 

[Ex-Member1]

Does anyone know if the York Road market still exists? Now there's another fond memory for me. Broken biscuits, 2d a bag!!!

 

[The Big Dady]

Another old pic Southend High Street looking south under Railway Bridge (Date Unknown)



Southend High Street looking south with R.A.Jones on the left.(Date Unknown)



Southend High Street looking south early 1950’s



The Talmage Buildings Southend-on-Sea is on the right of the picture. It was built in 1926, you can just see the Garons clock tower (Date Unknown)



Looking down Southend Pier Hill 1973



Southend High Street looking north under the Railway Bridge, note the underground toilets.1982

 

[The Big Dady]

Demolition at the bottom of Southend High Street to make way for The Royals Shopping Centre, The Palace Hotel in the background.



Demolition completed at the bottom of Southend High Street to make way for The Royals Shopping Centre, The Palace Hotel in the background

 

[The Big Dady]

Southend High Street going with pedestrian sections being installed (3 pics)

 

[The Big Dady]

Southend High Street Railway Bridge just before it was replaced in 2012



Southend High Street looking north with Planters Restaurant on the left (Remember the Roasted Coffee smell) and Dixons Department Store at the top of the High Street. 1970


Dixons Department Store at the top of the High Street looking along the London Road from Victoria Circus 1960’s



Southend High Street looking north under the Railway Bridge, note the steam locomotive on the bridge. 1950’s

 

[rigsby]

Another old pic Southend High Street looking south under Railway Bridge (Date Unkown)

View attachment 6520

Southend High Street looking south with R.A.Jones on the left.(Date Unknown)

View attachment 6521

Southend High Street looking south early 1950’s

View attachment 6522

The Talmage Buildings Southend-on-Sea is on the right of the picture. It was built in 1926, you can just see the Garons clock tower (Date Unknown)

View attachment 6523

Looking down Southend Pier Hill 1973

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Southend High Street looking north under the Railway Bridge, note the underground toilets.1982
View attachment 6526

Interestingly if you look in the distance of the Pier Hill photo you can see the old Gas works Jetty and beyond is the overhead loading/unloading system that went right across the main road....Does any know the name?

 

[rigsby]

Its amazing how High street fashion really does go round in circles. The Victorian colour post card depicts women in groups, covered right down to their ankles and even their head a faces partly obscured.

 

[The Big Dady]

Interestingly if you look in the distance of the Pier Hill photo you can see the old Gas works Jetty and beyond is the overhead loading/unloading system that went right across the main road....Does any know the name?

Yes you can clearly see it here

 

[The Big Dady]

Woolworths Southend High Street 1938



Woolworths Southend High Street 2008



Woolworths building now T J Hughes 2010



Woolworths building now H & M 2014

 

[rigsby]

Yes you can clearly see it here

View attachment 6539

Actually looking at it again that may be another Jetty/pier as the Gas works would have been further on, perhaps where the overhead bit was.. Us youngsters need help from some of you old timers on this thread.

 

[GROWLER]

In reply to Big Daddy and the Talza Arcade sweet shop.
I seem to remember being in there with the Mammy and a ration book ?? to order COCONUT ICE to be collected the following day.
First time that little snippet has been aired before !!

 

[Benfleet A1]

Another old pic Southend High Street looking south under Railway Bridge (Date Unknown)

View attachment 6520

Southend High Street looking south with R.A.Jones on the left.(Date Unknown)

View attachment 6521

Southend High Street looking south early 1950’s

View attachment 6522

The Talmage Buildings Southend-on-Sea is on the right of the picture. It was built in 1926, you can just see the Garons clock tower (Date Unknown)

View attachment 6523

Looking down Southend Pier Hill 1973

View attachment 6524

Southend High Street looking north under the Railway Bridge, note the underground toilets.1982
View attachment 6526

The underground toilets, Southend's very own ice skating rink