Memory Lane Southend Town Centre

[Benfleet A1]

What a fantastic photograph!

That's my right shoulder there, in the background.

Bloke on tbe other side looks like he has 'thing' on his. ?

 

[Bielzibubz]

Granted that, B, but they received that only 6 years ago and must have been doing something right well before those recent developments and extra government funding ? Whereas SBC has made attempts and kept failing yet continues to spend money on madcap traffic management schemes around the borough, none of which are benefitting anyone.

Good point. I don't know what they've done but whatever it is it's working. I work directly opposite the old Marconi building that's still there and the transformation that's taken place of the area in general is eye opening.

One aspect that has had a big influence is that Chelmsford benefits from three, possibly four, major road arteries into the town/city itself (A12, A130/A1114, A414 and the A130 from the North. Southend really only has the one, the A127, possibly the A13 too but I certainly wouldn't call it a major route in.

 

[AndyT]

The Park & Ride scheme works really well in Chelmsford, as well.

 

[HypoTypo]

The Park & Ride scheme works really well in Chelmsford, as well.

Don't suggest to SBC about a park and ride scheme here. They'll build it at Fossett's LOL

 

[KevinJH]

Inside Talza arcade..

Holy moly - I used to get my MAD magazine's in Bobins

 

[KevinJH]

A view back down Victoria Avenue in the early 60's before it was decimated for the new 'Gateway', St Mary's back right....

St. Mary's Church at the top there - that's where my mum & dad were married in 1952

 

[The Big Dady]

Looking North from Victoria Circus with Talza Arcade on the right



Looking from towards Victoria Circus and Victoria Avenue from the High Street, with the Municipal College to the left of the pic.



Victoria Circus looking down the High Street, with Victoria Hotel on the left and Dixons on the right which closed in 1973.



Grreat colour pic of The Victoria Hotel Southend High Street before cars.



Southend High Street looking north, nice big Christmas tree and you can just make out Keddies on the right.



Some of the centre "Dixons" displays in the High Street.



Southend High Street looking towards the seafront, with the Fenchurch Street line railway bridge in the centre



Self explanatory this one.

 

[KevinJH]

There's some fabulous old photo's being posted here - really appreciate seeing them

 

[KevinJH]

Here's another memory jerker; anyone remember Soper's (the fabric/drapery shop) in East Street with it's old Lamson (?) pulley payment system racing around above the customers ? It was on the site pretty much close to where Churchill Gardens entrance is/was.

 

[The Big Dady]

Ritz Cinema with I think a No.7 Bus.



The Old Central Museum Southend



Another older pic of R.A.Jones store Southend High Street.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Where was Hodges and Johnson?

I remember the adverts on Essex Radio. Ditto H W Stone

 

[The Big Dady]

Inside Talza arcade..

Another couple of pics inside the Talza Arcade

This one taken in the opposite direction, with Bobbins on the left and the hobby store on the right.

 

[Bielzibubz]

Here's another memory jerker; anyone remember Soper's (the fabric/drapery shop) in East Street with it's old Lamson (?) pulley payment system racing around above the customers ? It was on the site pretty much close to where Churchill Gardens entrance is/was.

Found this. Just make out the shop sign.........Name that white car?

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Austin Cambridge

 

[The Big Dady]

It could be a Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II also known as "Farina" model because of its Pininfarina design, or as Morris did the same model called the Morris Oxford V, there were also MG Magnette Mark III, Wolesley 15/60, and Riley 4/68 versions. The only telling way to actually confirm is to look at the grille.

Was I close?

 

[Bielzibubz]

View attachment 6472

Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II also known as "Farina" model because of its Pininfarina design, also Morris did the same model called the Morris Oxford V, there were also MG Magnette Mark III, Wolesley 15/60, and Riley 4/68 versions.

Was I close?

No idea, that's why I asked

 

[kaymac]

Could that be Hepworths?

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Another Pic of Victoria Circus 1959 looking down Southchurch Avenue, with Garons Clock on the left over the Talza Arcade, Hotel Victoria in the centre, and Dixons department store on the right. Who remembers the underground toilets in the middle of Victoria Circus?
View attachment 6449

I rather think I do but I would have only been eight at the time.Where's that Cricko smiley when you need it?

 

[The Big Dady]

I rather think I do but I would have only been eight at the time.Where's that Cricko smiley when you need it?

Or

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Rather like the second one.