Three Towns Forum

The Local => Times Past => Topic started by: DaveR on February 05, 2011, 09:55:25 pm

Title: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on February 05, 2011, 09:55:25 pm
I've retrieved this thread from the old Llandudno Forum;

Where did you get your sweets from? Billy Mac's, Red Shop or Jack Leonard's in Madoc Street, Thompsons in Trinity Avenue, the Tuck Shop by John Bright School to name a few.

Penny shrimps, parma violets, penny chocolate bars, fizzers, sherbert dabs, cherry lips come to mind.
There was a sweet shop called the Kiosk next to the main post office where we would buy sherbet lollies. I remember the Red Shop and Days by the traffic lights, and Jacks in Alexandra Road. I remember a shop in Madoc Street where I used to buy Spanish Gold, but it was the one next to the corner shop where the Christmas shop was for a few years, I don't remember the Book shop one.

Cimattis at the end of Clifton road was another good shop, and at the corner on Trinity Avenue was the Dairy.
My Grandfather ran the shop (JB Tuck Shop) on the corner of Howard Road in the 1930's - there are a couple of photo's on the members gallery on this website. we must have kept the local dentists in business!

Q. What was the name of the other Madoc St sweetshop before it became a bookshop?
Leonards was the one in Madoc street! There was also a Thompsons around the corner by the Carlton near the prom.
Yes, Leonards was on the corner of Madoc St and Red Shop or Waverleys was next to the pub owned by the Plumber family but the one in the middle with Welsh speaking chap which he turned into a bookshop, we used to go there on Sundays after church. I think his name was Mr. Hughes?

Our Historian Richard Sutton says Mr Hughes did run the shop in the middle of Madoc Street, he ran it with his wife, they had a son called Eryll Hughes. The shop was called Marsdens. Cimattis was more of a grocers than a sweet shop, a bit of everything really. Thompsons around the corner of the Carlton, sold beach toys for the tourists, plenty of pop to drink with the likes of Corona and Tizer which you could get tuppence back for the bottle, they had wire tops in them days which were resealable. We used to have a giggle with Mr Wright at the top of Mostyn Street corner Church Walks, we would bring in bottles which we found and he would pay, after we would sneak round back and return the same bottles again, meaning we'd get four pence for the bottles, he never found out thankfully!

I used to work for John Smith at Thompsons on South Parade, he had an incredible collection of old postcards etc and knew so much interesting stuff about local businesses and people. his grandfather g r thompson was known as the postcard king because of the number he used to sell in his several outlets.does anyone remember their shop in Mostyn Street where the coffee centre is now?

I liked the Premier Tobacco & Sweet Shop in lower Mostyn Street. There were always loads of jars of wonderful sweets on display.

I used to buy my pipe tobacco from the Premier!!! I used to have a quarter ounce of Liquorice and 3 quarters of an ounce of Vanilla mixed, used to smoke a pipe in the winter time while working on the pier, good way to keep your hands warm.

Getting the thread back on topic, I remember Sandbach used to sell some nice hand made chocolates. I always remember the aroma as one entered the shop and the mahogany counter running down one wall, very traditional.
Q. I don't know for certain though, did they make the chocolates on the premises or were they simply bought in?
Sandbach's made their own chocolates on the premises. My Mother Nellie Roberts woked in the shop about 30 years ago for Mr David Sandbach She made up boxes of chocolates to order and putting customer choices into bags as they waited. I always had soft centres for myself and milk chocolate drops for children. It is sad this shop is no longer there. There is more info and pictures elsewhere on the Forum. It is true, as someone said, it was like the Tardis a small outside but amazing inside.

Another shop that hasn't been mention that was an institution was Stange & Co where I worked for years on saturdays and school holidays. The owner Jimmy Rowlands was a second dad to me, an absolutely brilliant bloke full of good humour. I remember the Christmas period, it was hectic but great fun,the blokes staggering in from the Carlton on Christmas eve to buy the missus some flowers, fond memories of Martin Payne who bought a big bunch of crysanth blooms and by the time he got 20 yds down mostyn st there was hardly a petal left on them!! also remember Joyce Elias who worked with me for years. Great fun.

I remember Stange's as well. There used to be a great display of fruit and veg outside on the pavement. How the sales assistants braved the weather though always amazed me. I also remember the tobacconists next door ran by Jimmy's brother I think, Billy. When they both collectively closed down, Billy Rowlands, in a deal to get planning permission for the site, was reported to have promised to use the elegant wooden shop front from both premises in a new shop development in Conwy. Unfortunately this never transpired and another piece of Llandudno finery was seemingly lost forever.
going back to Stanges, the brothers jimmy and Billy sold out and bought pubs including the Cottage Loaf who remebers Dunphys which was next door to Stanges, when I first started working part time for Stanges I used to drool at the hams and cheeses. Derek.

Sumners was a great shop, I used to go there every Saturday as a kid for a bap! Looking at the photo, I also see Arnolds, another familiar name. Q. Can anyone remind me what they sold?
A. Arnold sold allsorts, clothes and household stuff, ornament, scarfes purses and wallets, handbags, hats, it was like an "are you being served?" moment, I remember they had terrific sales, people queued outside, even overnight to get a massive reduction. They were also very good foe curtains and bed linen.

The gentleman killed at Dunphys store Was I believe Mr Chamberlin the Managing Director. I do not know if he was killed by the Woolworth lift or Dunphys Wharehouse hoist that was at the rear outside the store. I would be suprised if he had been inside the Woolworth lift well. Mr Chamberlin before his promotion had been the manager of Dunphys store in Craig-Y-Don.They had 5 shops altogether The others being in Deganwy,Conwy and Penmaenmawr + a WharehouseAnd Bakery where The Cottage Loaf now Stands. When thet were demolished Several beams were salvaged and used in the Loaf. These beams originaly salvaged from ships that had been wrecked on llandudno Beach in the late 1850 s and were part of the ships masts.

The comment about the aroma in the store brings back memories. The smells were from various spices that were sold loose,ground coffeeand the sides of Irish and Danish bacon that were hung from the ceiling and of course the smoked hams and bacon. a smell you could die for Things you could really get a flavour and taste from.I am talking about the late 1950s. Just befre super markets came about. Dunphys was classed as a High CLASS STORE.Most of the staff were characters and long serving but that is another story.

Anybody remember the original Rest And Be Thankful. It was an old beat up kiosk on The Marine drive. No electricity.Paraffin fridges specially provided by Walls Ice Cream. The rep pulled his hair out in the late 60s scouring the country ,Really :!: looking for wicks. He usually found some in Birmingham. The Lady who ran it would not pay to have electricity put in from the Light House. Dont ask me how they worked I dont know.

in my 1969 trade directory, Arnolds is advertised as Rochester House, 83-85 Mostyn Street.
The Arnold family originated from Narborough in Norfolk. There was a shop in Sussex Street Rhyl, run by Robert Arnold, and the Llandudno shop was established in 1882. In 1901 resident at the premises was Alexander Hughes, his wife Charlotte (nee Arnold) and their 6 children. Also resident was Charlotte's sister Mary.

Anyone remember 'Stylo' shoe shop on the corner of St George's place & Mostyn St, opposite the Midland (now HSBC) bank? The premises now functions as a cafe. I used to buy a vast assortment of shoes & boots there as styles changed over the years. Platform shoes with four-inch heels and gold tipped toes for the Youthie Disco, Jesus sandals for the summer, black brogues for church and Clarkes Commandoes for school. My first pair of boots were Major Domo's (poor man's Doctor Martens) before I saved up to buy the real McCoy with 'Bouncing Soles'. I was never the proud owner of a pair of Hush Puppies though for some reason.

the Wimpy was definitely once where the National Milk Bar was and where Burger King eventually moved into around the late eighties and early nineties. I know because my kids had their birthday parties there with Mr Wimpy. That was a franchise run by national milk bars the 1st wimpy in town was at the bottom of mostyn street this would have been in the late 70s.

Does anyone remember when Tesco,s was by bog island. It then became Kitchen Range and then became part of Courts furnishers building. Than there was E B Jones further on . Off Licence were the Kitchen shop is now. (corner of Jones Street) Mac Fisheries then were Habit Tea Rooms is now. Then between there and the Book Corner there was a fruit and veg shop called Waterworths. Across the road there was a butchers and I can remember a posh clothes shop, I think it was called Brooks. and of course the old Fortes ice cream parlour. If I can think of any more I will be sure to get back. Please forgive if these have already been mentioned been going through lots of pages but they could be in there somewhere. :?:

macfisheries was where simon baker is now and was next to Stylo, I also remember Tesco being near bog island that also had steps up to it and was part of what was Courts next to Brian Davies'. That was a small tesco only one isle up and another down, it always used to flood just outside there when the weather was bad.

I don't think the furniture store was Courts back then. I'm sure it was Rydwyn Jones & Davies.

any one remember 'wilkinsons photography shop' in craig y don? it is were the rspca charity shop is to day just down from st pauls church.I always remeber taking my 120 roll of film in there as a kid to be developed,how is it i seemed to take 20 shots and only got 5 images back? that would be early 60's

Anyone remember the bakers/cake and bread shop dale jones's -  they had a shop in craig y don,now a hair dressers next to the small passage way up from old peters radio and one next to the kings arms. always remember buying a cake on the way home from old central school...we use to call it " stale jones's" ha ...although the cakes where always good..and those baked loafs of bread with a dark brown crust on them and baked fresh every day..dont get bread like that anymore!!!!

I'm thinking the buildings may have a connection with John Littler a beverage producer in during the ninteenth century. (see the 'ginger beer & aerated waters topic).

Anyone remember 'Nails & Stuff' Ironmomgers in Craig-y-don? I always remember it was like 'Aladdin's Cave' inside - you could find anything there, from a new seal for a 1960's pressure-cooker to a chain & handle for a 1940's toilet.

It was in the building where Apollo Dvd shop was , now occupied by Daz will drive You taxi firm.
As stated earlier, he sold every bit of hardware you can think of and some you never heard of, if he did not have it in he used to say "we've got some coming in tomorrow," he would then scuttle up to B&Q to see if he could by it there for you.
We used to joke that if you went in and asked for a cruise missile, he'd say come back later.
Truly a great character.

Yes i remember it well,it had one of thoses smells that if you had your eyes closed you would know what shop you where in,old woodden floor booards,it use to be called" Bevans" i believe before it was nails and stuff,in the winter when i was young it was my job to take a old petrol can down to this shop and get parraffin that they would fill up from the back. it was one of those shops that these days you would expect the two Ronnies to pop up and ask for " four canddles" 0r was it "fork hanndles" any way you would have been able to get both in this old shop i am sure! a real B&Q of the past with out the queues,

The one in Vaughan St was Griff Roberts and the one in Upper Mostyn St was Riddells. I recall buying paraffin at one in Madoc St by Lazars but can't recall the name. I think its now part of the convenience store.

Does anyone remember Palmers news agents in craig y don? it was where Le-Gatte coffe /resturant is now. it was a long shop,sold many varried articles,run by a husband and wife team mr and mrs Palmer,they had a handicaped son.It was there for years 1950 through to the mid 60's. it is so hard to remember when you look back just when these shops changed hands and use.

davids church..and palmers old shop is now a posh coffee shop with street seating,when its warm enough!!!! ha. and not next to the county.although that one is still there and still does a good business.clarks libray or should i say was a library many years ago is now a paper /sweet shop,and as you say was run by a guy called steve( steve russcoe he retired about 2 years ago) his brother at one time ran another sweet shop about 6 doors up,was it called the creamery???? and the midland bank has now gone and is a up market pottery/china shop.

I remember not so long ago (about 2001) that there was a tiny newsagent situated where the toning shop next door to Le Gatte is now. It was left empty for quite a while (still fully stocked) until the whole block was sold, renovated and then let out.

It was run by Vernon who now works in Waterstones, formerly Ottakers, opposite M&S.

clarks libray or should i say was a library many years ago is now a paper /sweet shop,and as you say was run by a guy called steve( steve russcoe he retired about 2 years ago
Mike, I believe Steve Ruscoe sold up a couple of years ago but I don't think he has actually retired.

You will probably find Steve working more sensible hours these days at another newsagents up by the Empire Hotel and on the corner of Church Walks/Upper Mostyn Street.

The new owner, Brian David, decided to retain the former name of Ruscoes.

The Dale Jones Cafe and bakery was next to the Kings Head, and until about 5 years ago the actual Cafe upstairs was exactly as it was when it closed down in the 70's. Including the kitchen with the old cooker and so on. The building still belongs to the Dale Jones family and they visit Llandudno often, unfortunatly Mrs Dale-Jones passed away several years ago. A truly lovely lady!!!

Does anyone remember the small sweet shop in craig y don and its name...the one i am talking about was situated where peters radio entrance is,if you look at the entrance you can see the two pillars either side of the entrance,that was the size of the small shop. then next to it you can see where the shoe shop was..i think it was called roberts shoe shop. these two pld shops where knocked together to form peters radio together with the old valley radio.The entrance to valley radio was right on the corner where peters radio turns towards the now bay grill that was the old forties ice creame.

I think the order of shops (towards Little Orme) was:

Ledsham, Tobacconist
Ladies Hairdresser
Rogers Sports (and toys ?)
Cross's Shoes

The building was designed by the prominent Llandudno Architect, Arthur Hewitt, (he also designed the Savoy, Palladium and Winter Gardens to name a few). Somewhere I have a photo taken of Victoria Buildings (which is the name of the parade of shops) shortly after they were built. If I find it I will pass to Craig to see if it can be scanned in.

I think the shops are now owned by Janet Finch Saunders (see also Garages) and rented out.

I just can't remember the name of the Italian barber but he later moved next door to Pratt's the Fishermongers where there is still a barber shop in business today. The shop is currently run by the lovely Laura. Previously, it was a guy called Benito, who I understand used to work as a barber on the cruise liners?

Who remembers the two vehicles owned by hills the florist in craig y don,if i remember they where the same colour orange as the screen boarder on this site. one was a 15cwt bedford van and their car i think was either a Ford consul or a zephyr. They seemd to have them for ever and a day,they just kept going and going and where always parked out side the shop.

Has anyone ever noticed the ornate Victorian sinage above Milletts in Mostyn Street? A very different sight would greet the eyes of the people pictured outside, if they were able to walk past around 150 years ago. Does anyone remember this shop when it was Cousin's Bakery and cafe, in the late 70's. I worked there for a while, and during the Bakers strike (remember the bakers strike?) Me and another guy stayed late and fired up the oven and baked a load of I know it used to be a butchers, as when Ethel Austin revamped the building last year, the tiled walls were exposed and the tiles made pictures of animals, sheep pigs cows etc. On the sign it says Purveyers too. I don't know if the shop was built for something else originally.

I think there is a preservation order of some sort on it,same as the Clock above the Halifax Building Society (86 Mostyn St)a few doors up. There is a fund set up to keep that running. It used to be "The Clock Vaults" (Overton House)owned by Richard Owen. I have yet to find the connection between the two families but i have a birth certificate dated 1882 stating a birth at 80 Mostyn St for one of Richard Owens decendants
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 02:47:34 am
Thompsons around the corner of the Carlton, sold beach toys for the tourists, plenty of pop to drink with the likes of Corona and Tizer which you could get tuppence back for the bottle, they had wire tops in them days which were resealable.

There was also a Thompsons around the corner by the Carlton near the prom.

I used to work for John Smith at Thompsons on South Parade, he had an incredible collection of old postcards etc and knew so much interesting stuff about local businesses and people. his grandfather g r thompson was known as the postcard king because of the number he used to sell in his several outlets.

G.R. Thompson's in South Parade:
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 02:55:49 am
Does anyone remember their shop in Mostyn Street where the coffee centre is now?
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:02:39 am
I remember Sandbach used to sell some nice hand made chocolates. I always remember the aroma as one entered the shop and the mahogany counter running down one wall, very traditional.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:12:05 am
I don't know for certain though, did they make the chocolates on the premises or were they simply bought in?


Suepp wrote:

Sandbach's made their own chocolates on the premises. My Mother Nellie Roberts woked in the shop about 30 years ago for Mr David Sandbach She made up boxes of chocolates to order and putting customer choices into bags as they waited. I always had soft centres for myself and milk chocolate drops for children. It is sad this shop is no longer there. There is more info and pictures elsewhere on the Forum. It is true, as someone said, it was like the Tardis a small outside but amazing inside.

Mrs Nellie Roberts, Sandbach's 1968:
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:19:38 am
We used to have a giggle with Mr Wright at the top of Mostyn Street corner Church Walks, we would bring in bottles which we found and he would pay, after we would sneak round back and return the same bottles again, meaning we'd get four pence for the bottles, he never found out thankfully!
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:29:25 am
Anybody remember the original Rest And Be Thankful. It was an old beat up kiosk on The Marine drive. No electricity.Paraffin fridges specially provided by Walls Ice Cream. The rep pulled his hair out in the late 60s scouring the country ,Really :!: looking for wicks. He usually found some in Birmingham. The Lady who ran it would not pay to have electricity put in from the Light House. Dont ask me how they worked I dont know.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:40:28 am
Anyone remember the bakers/cake and bread shop dale jones's -  they had a shop in craig y don,now a hair dressers next to the small passage way up from old peters radio and one next to the kings arms. always remember buying a cake on the way home from old central school...we used to call it "stale jones'" ha ...although the cakes where always good..and those baked loafs of bread with a dark brown crust on them and baked fresh every day..dont get bread like that anymore!!!!

Dale Jones' Mostyn St: (next to the Kings Arms)
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bri Roberts on February 06, 2011, 03:51:52 am
Anyone remember the bakers/cake and bread shop dale jones's -  they had a shop in craig y don,now a hair dressers next to the small passage way up from old peters radio and one next to the kings arms. always remember buying a cake on the way home from old central school...we used to call it "stale jones'" ha ...although the cakes where always good..and those baked loafs of bread with a dark brown crust on them and baked fresh every day..dont get bread like that anymore!!!!

Dale Jones' Mostyn St: (next to the Kings Arms)

There was a girl in my alpha form in JBGS during the early sixties called Julie Dale-Jones and I think her parents ran the Avondale at that time.

Here is my post from the other day.

Was this the same shop or was it next door to the Avondale ?


Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:54:52 am
Macfisheries was where simon baker is now and was next to Stylo.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:59:11 am
Anyone remember the bakers/cake and bread shop dale jones's -  they had a shop in craig y don,now a hair dressers next to the small passage way up from old peters radio and one next to the kings arms. always remember buying a cake on the way home from old central school...we used to call it "stale jones'" ha ...although the cakes where always good..and those baked loafs of bread with a dark brown crust on them and baked fresh every day..dont get bread like that anymore!!!!

Dale Jones' Mostyn St: (next to the Kings Arms)

There was a girl in my alpha form in JBGS during the early sixties called Julie Dale-Jones and I think her parents ran the Avondale at that time.

Here is my post from the other day.

Was this the same shop or was it next door to the Avondale ?


You're up early Bri!  :o

I believe the Avondale was to the right of Dale Jones'.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bri Roberts on February 06, 2011, 04:17:49 am
Yes, Trojan, I went to bed early at 9pm suffering from depression after the football match.

Thanks for putting me straight.  $thanx$

I am going back to bed now.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: norman08 on February 06, 2011, 09:28:20 am
 what was the name of the jewellers opposite the harrington pub next to hepworths and macfisheries had a shop in lloyd st, the small bakers down brooke st ,  fresh cakes before school
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: suepp on February 06, 2011, 12:05:38 pm
I don't know for certain though, did they make the chocolates on the premises or were they simply bought in?


Suepp wrote:

Sandbach's made their own chocolates on the premises. My Mother Nellie Roberts woked in the shop about 30 years ago for Mr David Sandbach She made up boxes of chocolates to order and putting customer choices into bags as they waited. I always had soft centres for myself and milk chocolate drops for children. It is sad this shop is no longer there. There is more info and pictures elsewhere on the Forum. It is true, as someone said, it was like the Tardis a small outside but amazing inside.

Mrs Nellie Roberts, Sandbach's 1968:

Just to clarify Nellie Roberts was my grandmother it was my mum who wrote the above!
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Dwyforite on February 06, 2011, 01:59:08 pm
the name of the jewellery shop was MANSELS,i think they came here  from england.the family lived for a short while in a flat in ffordd dwyfor.there was mr and mrs mansel and a son ,possibly michael,the business later moved to the corner of moon st. and mostyn broadway,mike tick tock took over the shop after moving from his shop next to baxters photography.but this has got me thinking was there two shops on this corner or just the one.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Barbiroli on February 06, 2011, 02:37:05 pm
I think there were two, Mike`s shop and a hairdressers next door.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 06, 2011, 03:36:08 pm
mike tick tock took over the shop after moving from his shop next to baxters photography.

Not the famous "Mike The Watch?"
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on February 06, 2011, 03:57:15 pm
the name of the jewellery shop was MANSELS,i think they came here  from england.the family lived for a short while in a flat in ffordd dwyfor.there was mr and mrs mansel and a son ,possibly michael,the business later moved to the corner of moon st. and mostyn broadway,mike tick tock took over the shop after moving from his shop next to baxters photography.but this has got me thinking was there two shops on this corner or just the one.
Mansels advert from 1966:

[smg id=1143]
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Llechwedd on February 07, 2011, 12:33:08 pm
I was in school with Francine Mansell. her Father had the shop but I don't remember a brother or her Mother.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bri Roberts on February 07, 2011, 12:59:42 pm
Mike Mansell was in JBGS with me from 1961-67.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on February 07, 2011, 07:36:23 pm
From 1955 - Ball & Boyd Estate Agents in the 'Loyal Arcade', 76 Mostyn Street. 76 Mostyn Street is now Superdrug. Loyal Arcade suggests more than one business/shop in the arcade, does anyone know more?

[smg id=1151]
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Dwyforite on February 07, 2011, 09:10:35 pm
i think  the EXPRESS cleaners were there as well,there was also a shop selling plumbing supplies in the basement,and my sister just put forward the name KENDALS i am told they sold high class raincoats and such.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on February 07, 2011, 09:23:52 pm
Thanks Dwyforite, that's interesting.  $thanx$ I wonder if there's any photos of the arcade anywhere. I've only ever known it as Superdrug.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Llechwedd on February 08, 2011, 11:21:27 am
At the bottom on the right was Mary Hone a wool shop and on the left Kendalls which became the first "Next" outside Manchester and they went on to bigger things!  At the top was the cleaners.  next door was Maypole and Princes Cinema and Sandbach.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: suepp on February 08, 2011, 12:58:18 pm
wasn't there a shop called "Jaeger" that sold clothes?
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on February 08, 2011, 08:51:44 pm
I was just thinking that maybe one of the larger empty shops on Mostyn Street could be converted into this sort of Arcade format, whereby 5 or so smaller shops share the space. Would enable smaller businesses to get a toehold on Mostyn Street without it being an all-out gamble.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on February 08, 2011, 08:55:15 pm
Westmorelands Toy Shop in 1966 (now Nineteen Coffee Shop, I think?)

[smg id=1154]
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: suepp on February 08, 2011, 09:02:39 pm
Yes,great photo, it looks like the basement area which was turned into Santa's Grotto each year
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on February 08, 2011, 09:34:48 pm
I always find that 'Yachts That Sail' a bits strange, for some reason.

Here's Roberts & Son (The Royal Fish Stores), Fishmongers, in 1921. Their shop is now HSBC Bank:

[smg id=1156]
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: norman08 on February 08, 2011, 10:14:37 pm
wasn,t their a butchers called espleys by the arcade ,[milk bar side ]we used to do the harry worth sketch outside kendals window
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on February 09, 2011, 05:00:23 am
I remember Stange's as well. There used to be a great display of fruit and veg outside on the pavement. How the sales assistants braved the weather though always amazed me.

going back to Stanges, the brothers jimmy and Billy sold out and bought pubs including the Cottage Loaf who remebers Dunphys which was next door to Stanges, when I first started working part time for Stanges I used to drool at the hams and cheeses. Derek.

Stange & Co can be seen on the left in this postcard circa 1910:
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: suepp on February 09, 2011, 11:00:23 am
wasn,t their a butchers called espleys by the arcade ,[milk bar side ]we used to do the harry worth sketch outside kendals window
I remember doing that too!
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Micox on April 17, 2011, 06:16:10 pm
Gardeners for cigs, papers and sweets, Jack Smith's for sweets, penny Oxos, sherbet and liquorice sticks, Cimatti's for oddballs, Worseleys for sweets, Dyffryn Dairy for booze and bacon bones, Kirby's for spuds, Overton's for brilliantly delivered orders, Tunnicliffe's for the best chips in town, Turton's a close second and a pretty daughter, Twists for tea and biscuits, Kershaw's for puncture repairs, Blades for blades and Bradley's for my cheap school uniform.

Ble'r mae.  ?{}? ?{}? ?{}? ?{}?
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Micox on August 10, 2011, 07:09:09 pm
Nadin's; Gardners; Sargent's; Worseley's; Overton's; Irwin's; Lexicon Library.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Michael on August 10, 2011, 07:51:05 pm
I've just read this thread for the first time. so I am bringing up matters which were first mentioned six months ago. Two firms, both from Rhyl, but both had branches in Llandudno. First, Rhydwen Jones and Davies, furniture, sold out to Courts. On the corner opposite the Post Office. I knew this firm well. Had branches in Colwyn Bay and Bangor, but the main one was in Rhyl.  I also know why the very old, aristocratic firm HAD to sell. It wasent the usual bad trading, or anything like that.  More to do with the fact that Mr. W Rhydwen Jones was a very, very careful man with his money, and that was basically the trouble. I know its fifty years ago but I dont think I can go further on an open forum just in case any of the descendants might happen to read the forum. Secondly, Espleys the pork butchers. Again from Rhyl. Branches in Flint and, I think, Prestatyn. Jim Espley was the Mayor of Rhyl at one time.  Here the trouble was, as so often, the Public health gave the Rhyl shop a shocking inspection, and this was the begining of the end. This is, or was, public knowledge.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on August 11, 2011, 09:30:58 am
Mr. W Rhydwen Jones was a very, very careful man with his money, and that was basically the trouble. I know its fifty years ago but I dont think I can go further on an open forum just in case any of the descendants might happen to read the forum.
Come on, Mike, you can't leave us in suspense like that?!
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on August 11, 2011, 10:30:01 am
Lexicon Library.

 :)
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on August 11, 2011, 10:36:16 am
Lexicon Library is now Ty Gobaith/Hope House shop, I think.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: dwsi on September 02, 2011, 09:02:55 pm
(http://www.oldllandudno.co.uk/gallery/photos/Old%20Adverts/Blades.jpg_thumb.png)
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Trojan on September 03, 2011, 12:57:01 am
 :laugh: I remember scanning that Blades advert two years ago.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: dwsi on September 04, 2011, 10:55:31 pm
(http://www.gtj.org.uk/storage/components/batch_57/GTJ18153_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Michael on September 05, 2011, 09:11:10 pm
Have just read a post from Dave on August 11th. I havent been dodging answering, I just missed reading you, Dave,  I'll just take a chance and hope no distant relatives of the late W. Rhydwen Jones reads this. Mr. Jones was the boss of the firm W.Rhydwen Jones and Davies, Furniture, and removals and storage with branches in Rhyl, Llandudno, Bangor and Colwyn Bay. It was a limited company. But, around 1963 or 4, Mr Jones was medically told that he was suffering with cancer, and it was bad. The financial implications then came out--Mr Jones, being a strict chapel going man, had always kept a very close eye on his cash, and when the limited company was formed, for whatever reason, he wasent parting with the four valuable properties which he personally owned---he kept them for himself. Now potential death duties came up. His estate was going to be hit hard. So he took out an insurance policy, I'm not sure of the figures because of inflation has messed around with my memory, but in todays terms it was probably something like a three year whole life term, premium £500,000 per annum. If he died in the first year his estate collected 1 and a half million. If he died in the second year the sum was a million. If he died in the third year, half a million. He lived for four years, paid out £1,500,000 in premiums and his estate received nothing. The company virtually sold up and got out whilst they could.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on September 05, 2011, 09:18:19 pm
Nice story, as always, Mike. Where was their Colwyn Bay store...was it on the corner across from Lloyds Bank?
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Michael on September 05, 2011, 09:22:43 pm
No, it was about a third of the way down Station Road on the left hand side. I dont know what is there now, but it was about two or three shops above the amusement arcade
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Michael on September 06, 2011, 07:35:37 pm
On reflection I should have mentioned this at the end of the post. The great irony was Rhydwen Jones had spent his whole life looking after the pennies. He did'nt want to die, who does? But, in the end, every day he lived was costing his estate how much? £100 a £1,000 or £10,000---I dont know and there is little point in wasting time working it out. But he must have gone through a mental very troubled last few years.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bedelia on June 17, 2014, 12:21:39 pm
Marie et Cie!  This from the Rest and Be Thankful:

http://www.restandbethankful.net/gallery1/displayimage.php?pid=1043&fullsize=1 (http://www.restandbethankful.net/gallery1/displayimage.php?pid=1043&fullsize=1)

Charming though it was, it's a bit of a stretch to imagine anyone would have flown an ocean specially for its ladies' and children's fashions.

And does anyone remember the 1970s boutique Sandpiper, that used to be opposite?  So-o-o trendy, back then...
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bri Roberts on June 17, 2014, 12:33:23 pm
I remember Sandpiper when its owner, Mrs Barbara Thatcher, was a client of mine.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bedelia on June 17, 2014, 12:42:30 pm
Mum & I would spend ages browsing in there.  I'm sure we bought some things.  And we'd go to Tiffany's on the corner, which I see is still there!  It was new then, and presumably named after the Tiffany lamps that were in vogue (and hanging over every table).
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bri Roberts on June 17, 2014, 04:17:46 pm
I don't know about that but I believe the same gentleman who ran it then is still running it today.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Nemesis on June 17, 2014, 05:08:32 pm
Ahh Sandpiper-- I once bought a ring there !
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: white rabbit on June 17, 2014, 07:40:09 pm
I remember Sandpiper - I thought they soldvey nice children's clothes?
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bedelia on June 17, 2014, 11:26:51 pm
They did.  Not childish, stylish, proper "fashion".  Ladies' and children's; and jewellery, yes.

And Bri: good to hear if it's still the same man in Tiffany's.  I see the Coffee Centre lives on too, amazingly!  (With the same menu?  I always had double burger with chips and fried onions, after we'd been to Marks.)

Shame about Sandbach's.  That was my favourite. Rose and violet creams in a white paper bag with red drawstrings.  And squares of bright green mint.  On the first floor they sold Caithness Glass and gifts; then the tea shop on the top floor. 

I went there last with a friend on a day trip from Chester in the late 1990s. The furniture was a little bit modernised, but the menu was the same.  We had crumpets, teacakes and scones with hot chocolate (it was November), after a brisk walk on the pier.  Very sad that it's gone.   :-[
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: gaztrucker on September 02, 2017, 08:05:05 pm
hills of craigydon had an austin lorry when they were fruit&veg. for many years it sat in the back alley behind the shop orange paintwork slowly fading to pink!!!
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Goofey2 on November 15, 2017, 10:31:58 pm
Craig y Don in the 1970's ....

As mentioned Hill 's florist run by Mr John Hill and his wife
Needham's bakers run by Mr Jim Needham and wife Meg
Frost's ironmongers run by Mr Frost, a great store , floors that creaked and the smell of .... well traditional ironmongery
Cross shoes shop run by Mr Cross, I remember shoe boxes to the roof and al old wooden step ladder the assistant had to climb to get the shoes down.
Pardon!s sports shop, again a sole trader Mr Pardon always dressed in a very smart suit.
Pat's bargain store
A small narrow sweet shop
Valley Radio with the speaker which looked like a large megaphone on the corner which played Christmas tunes during the festive season.
Fortes cafe

Across the road
Dunphys corner, a delicatessen which was not called that back in the day, I think they classed themselves as 'purveyors of fine food'.  I remember a Mr Watson who worked on the bacon counter, white overall and he had a missing index finger!  His son Chris had a toy shop in CyD.
E Boote and son, beds and furniture shop, they also developed a store on Mostyn Broadway
Zion alleyway .....
Butchers cannot remember the name though
The Chiltern Grill was run by a Mr Matthews at one time
Waterworths fruit and veg shop, always remember the ladies there put everything in brown paper bags, twisted them round to knot either end, then wrote the price on the corner of the bag.
Veterinary surgery run by Miss Birks
Brian Bates hairdressers was along there too

Cross Mostyn Avenue .......

Vogue hairdressers on the corner opposite St Paul's Church
Cross Victoria Stree
Prion House, a guest house run by Mr and Mrs  Mullin.
Some kind of antique shop
Moores and Tavner, wool shop run by Mrs Moores the chatty one and Miss Tavner very quiet.
Gateway to the Bank House
Midland Bank, managed by Mr Edwards. Traditional bank with lovely wooden counter.
Clark's Library run by Mr Stephen Ruscoe
Bank House door
Mace run by Mr and Mrs Basil and Lyn Howe, Mr Howe ran the bacon counter, 'old man Howe', Basil's father stood in sometimes!
Hughes Gentlemans outfitters
Ellerton's toy shop
Mr Wilcox electrical store, a long thin shop
A sweet shop, this was taken over by the Ruscoe family, Stephen's brother Peter ran it, their mother helped out too.
Emlyn Williams Chemist was on the corner
A dog grooming shop was round the corner.
Opposite was Pratt's fishmongers
Mr Chris Watson's toy shop was on the corner
Newsagents
County Hotel


Cross the road

A cafe which was down some steps, only open in the summer.
Frank Tyldesley builders.
Benards picture framers
Neville's Chemist
Wool Post which was a wool, curtain and haberdashery shop with Post Office run by Mr Robbie Roberts.
Printers
Nat West Bank
Newsagents, once run by Mr and Mrs Palmer
Antique shop run by Mr Hopwood
Lloyds Bank

I have probably missed some shops out, it was a thriving town back then.

How times have changed, the only shop still running is Benards.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: DaveR on November 16, 2017, 09:04:20 am
Great list, well done!  $good$
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: zxr on October 30, 2019, 08:14:08 pm
Does anyone know of an Ashworths Grocers? Possibly where the Victoria Centre is now. Thanks. Incidentally my mother worked at Marie et Cie in the 1950s and Fortes Ice Cream factory in Craig Y Don. I have original hand written references of hers from then on headed paper. I will upload when I find them. 
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: zxr on October 30, 2019, 10:28:24 pm
This photos has Fortes written on the back. I assume its the Ice Cream Factory however could be one of the cafes. However I only have knowledge of my mother working in the Ice Cream Factory.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: shnugs on October 07, 2020, 12:18:44 pm
I've retrieved this thread from the old Llandudno Forum;

Where did you get your sweets from? Billy Mac's, Red Shop or Jack Leonard's in Madoc Street, Thompsons in Trinity Avenue, the Tuck Shop by John Bright School to name a few.

Penny shrimps, parma violets, penny chocolate bars, fizzers, sherbert dabs, cherry lips come to mind.
There was a sweet shop called the Kiosk next to the main post office where we would buy sherbet lollies. I remember the Red Shop and Days by the traffic lights, and Jacks in Alexandra Road. I remember a shop in Madoc Street where I used to buy Spanish Gold, but it was the one next to the corner shop where the Christmas shop was for a few years, I don't remember the Book shop one.

Cimattis at the end of Clifton road was another good shop, and at the corner on Trinity Avenue was the Dairy.
My Grandfather ran the shop (JB Tuck Shop) on the corner of Howard Road in the 1930's - there are a couple of photo's on the members gallery on this website. we must have kept the local dentists in business!

Q. What was the name of the other Madoc St sweetshop before it became a bookshop?
Leonards was the one in Madoc street! There was also a Thompsons around the corner by the Carlton near the prom.
Yes, Leonards was on the corner of Madoc St and Red Shop or Waverleys was next to the pub owned by the Plumber family but the one in the middle with Welsh speaking chap which he turned into a bookshop, we used to go there on Sundays after church. I think his name was Mr. Hughes?

Our Historian Richard Sutton says Mr Hughes did run the shop in the middle of Madoc Street, he ran it with his wife, they had a son called Eryll Hughes. The shop was called Marsdens. Cimattis was more of a grocers than a sweet shop, a bit of everything really. Thompsons around the corner of the Carlton, sold beach toys for the tourists, plenty of pop to drink with the likes of Corona and Tizer which you could get tuppence back for the bottle, they had wire tops in them days which were resealable. We used to have a giggle with Mr Wright at the top of Mostyn Street corner Church Walks, we would bring in bottles which we found and he would pay, after we would sneak round back and return the same bottles again, meaning we'd get four pence for the bottles, he never found out thankfully!

I used to work for John Smith at Thompsons on South Parade, he had an incredible collection of old postcards etc and knew so much interesting stuff about local businesses and people. his grandfather g r thompson was known as the postcard king because of the number he used to sell in his several outlets.does anyone remember their shop in Mostyn Street where the coffee centre is now?

I liked the Premier Tobacco & Sweet Shop in lower Mostyn Street. There were always loads of jars of wonderful sweets on display.

I used to buy my pipe tobacco from the Premier!!! I used to have a quarter ounce of Liquorice and 3 quarters of an ounce of Vanilla mixed, used to smoke a pipe in the winter time while working on the pier, good way to keep your hands warm.

Getting the thread back on topic, I remember Sandbach used to sell some nice hand made chocolates. I always remember the aroma as one entered the shop and the mahogany counter running down one wall, very traditional.
Q. I don't know for certain though, did they make the chocolates on the premises or were they simply bought in?
Sandbach's made their own chocolates on the premises. My Mother Nellie Roberts woked in the shop about 30 years ago for Mr David Sandbach She made up boxes of chocolates to order and putting customer choices into bags as they waited. I always had soft centres for myself and milk chocolate drops for children. It is sad this shop is no longer there. There is more info and pictures elsewhere on the Forum. It is true, as someone said, it was like the Tardis a small outside but amazing inside.

Another shop that hasn't been mention that was an institution was Stange & Co where I worked for years on saturdays and school holidays. The owner Jimmy Rowlands was a second dad to me, an absolutely brilliant bloke full of good humour. I remember the Christmas period, it was hectic but great fun,the blokes staggering in from the Carlton on Christmas eve to buy the missus some flowers, fond memories of Martin Payne who bought a big bunch of crysanth blooms and by the time he got 20 yds down mostyn st there was hardly a petal left on them!! also remember Joyce Elias who worked with me for years. Great fun.

I remember Stange's as well. There used to be a great display of fruit and veg outside on the pavement. How the sales assistants braved the weather though always amazed me. I also remember the tobacconists next door ran by Jimmy's brother I think, Billy. When they both collectively closed down, Billy Rowlands, in a deal to get planning permission for the site, was reported to have promised to use the elegant wooden shop front from both premises in a new shop development in Conwy. Unfortunately this never transpired and another piece of Llandudno finery was seemingly lost forever.
going back to Stanges, the brothers jimmy and Billy sold out and bought pubs including the Cottage Loaf who remebers Dunphys which was next door to Stanges, when I first started working part time for Stanges I used to drool at the hams and cheeses. Derek.

Sumners was a great shop, I used to go there every Saturday as a kid for a bap! Looking at the photo, I also see Arnolds, another familiar name. Q. Can anyone remind me what they sold?
A. Arnold sold allsorts, clothes and household stuff, ornament, scarfes purses and wallets, handbags, hats, it was like an "are you being served?" moment, I remember they had terrific sales, people queued outside, even overnight to get a massive reduction. They were also very good foe curtains and bed linen.

The gentleman killed at Dunphys store Was I believe Mr Chamberlin the Managing Director. I do not know if he was killed by the Woolworth lift or Dunphys Wharehouse hoist that was at the rear outside the store. I would be suprised if he had been inside the Woolworth lift well. Mr Chamberlin before his promotion had been the manager of Dunphys store in Craig-Y-Don.They had 5 shops altogether The others being in Deganwy,Conwy and Penmaenmawr + a WharehouseAnd Bakery where The Cottage Loaf now Stands. When thet were demolished Several beams were salvaged and used in the Loaf. These beams originaly salvaged from ships that had been wrecked on llandudno Beach in the late 1850 s and were part of the ships masts.

The comment about the aroma in the store brings back memories. The smells were from various spices that were sold loose,ground coffeeand the sides of Irish and Danish bacon that were hung from the ceiling and of course the smoked hams and bacon. a smell you could die for Things you could really get a flavour and taste from.I am talking about the late 1950s. Just befre super markets came about. Dunphys was classed as a High CLASS STORE.Most of the staff were characters and long serving but that is another story.

Anybody remember the original Rest And Be Thankful. It was an old beat up kiosk on The Marine drive. No electricity.Paraffin fridges specially provided by Walls Ice Cream. The rep pulled his hair out in the late 60s scouring the country ,Really :!: looking for wicks. He usually found some in Birmingham. The Lady who ran it would not pay to have electricity put in from the Light House. Dont ask me how they worked I dont know.

in my 1969 trade directory, Arnolds is advertised as Rochester House, 83-85 Mostyn Street.
The Arnold family originated from Narborough in Norfolk. There was a shop in Sussex Street Rhyl, run by Robert Arnold, and the Llandudno shop was established in 1882. In 1901 resident at the premises was Alexander Hughes, his wife Charlotte (nee Arnold) and their 6 children. Also resident was Charlotte's sister Mary.

Anyone remember 'Stylo' shoe shop on the corner of St George's place & Mostyn St, opposite the Midland (now HSBC) bank? The premises now functions as a cafe. I used to buy a vast assortment of shoes & boots there as styles changed over the years. Platform shoes with four-inch heels and gold tipped toes for the Youthie Disco, Jesus sandals for the summer, black brogues for church and Clarkes Commandoes for school. My first pair of boots were Major Domo's (poor man's Doctor Martens) before I saved up to buy the real McCoy with 'Bouncing Soles'. I was never the proud owner of a pair of Hush Puppies though for some reason.

the Wimpy was definitely once where the National Milk Bar was and where Burger King eventually moved into around the late eighties and early nineties. I know because my kids had their birthday parties there with Mr Wimpy. That was a franchise run by national milk bars the 1st wimpy in town was at the bottom of mostyn street this would have been in the late 70s.

Does anyone remember when Tesco,s was by bog island. It then became Kitchen Range and then became part of Courts furnishers building. Than there was E B Jones further on . Off Licence were the Kitchen shop is now. (corner of Jones Street) Mac Fisheries then were Habit Tea Rooms is now. Then between there and the Book Corner there was a fruit and veg shop called Waterworths. Across the road there was a butchers and I can remember a posh clothes shop, I think it was called Brooks. and of course the old Fortes ice cream parlour. If I can think of any more I will be sure to get back. Please forgive if these have already been mentioned been going through lots of pages but they could be in there somewhere. :?:

macfisheries was where simon baker is now and was next to Stylo, I also remember Tesco being near bog island that also had steps up to it and was part of what was Courts next to Brian Davies'. That was a small tesco only one isle up and another down, it always used to flood just outside there when the weather was bad.

I don't think the furniture store was Courts back then. I'm sure it was Rydwyn Jones & Davies.

any one remember 'wilkinsons photography shop' in craig y don? it is were the rspca charity shop is to day just down from st pauls church.I always remeber taking my 120 roll of film in there as a kid to be developed,how is it i seemed to take 20 shots and only got 5 images back? that would be early 60's

Anyone remember the bakers/cake and bread shop dale jones's -  they had a shop in craig y don,now a hair dressers next to the small passage way up from old peters radio and one next to the kings arms. always remember buying a cake on the way home from old central school...we use to call it " stale jones's" ha ...although the cakes where always good..and those baked loafs of bread with a dark brown crust on them and baked fresh every day..dont get bread like that anymore!!!!

I'm thinking the buildings may have a connection with John Littler a beverage producer in during the ninteenth century. (see the 'ginger beer & aerated waters topic).

Anyone remember 'Nails & Stuff' Ironmomgers in Craig-y-don? I always remember it was like 'Aladdin's Cave' inside - you could find anything there, from a new seal for a 1960's pressure-cooker to a chain & handle for a 1940's toilet.

It was in the building where Apollo Dvd shop was , now occupied by Daz will drive You taxi firm.
As stated earlier, he sold every bit of hardware you can think of and some you never heard of, if he did not have it in he used to say "we've got some coming in tomorrow," he would then scuttle up to B&Q to see if he could by it there for you.
We used to joke that if you went in and asked for a cruise missile, he'd say come back later.
Truly a great character.

Yes i remember it well,it had one of thoses smells that if you had your eyes closed you would know what shop you where in,old woodden floor booards,it use to be called" Bevans" i believe before it was nails and stuff,in the winter when i was young it was my job to take a old petrol can down to this shop and get parraffin that they would fill up from the back. it was one of those shops that these days you would expect the two Ronnies to pop up and ask for " four canddles" 0r was it "fork hanndles" any way you would have been able to get both in this old shop i am sure! a real B&Q of the past with out the queues,

The one in Vaughan St was Griff Roberts and the one in Upper Mostyn St was Riddells. I recall buying paraffin at one in Madoc St by Lazars but can't recall the name. I think its now part of the convenience store.

Does anyone remember Palmers news agents in craig y don? it was where Le-Gatte coffe /resturant is now. it was a long shop,sold many varried articles,run by a husband and wife team mr and mrs Palmer,they had a handicaped son.It was there for years 1950 through to the mid 60's. it is so hard to remember when you look back just when these shops changed hands and use.

davids church..and palmers old shop is now a posh coffee shop with street seating,when its warm enough!!!! ha. and not next to the county.although that one is still there and still does a good business.clarks libray or should i say was a library many years ago is now a paper /sweet shop,and as you say was run by a guy called steve( steve russcoe he retired about 2 years ago) his brother at one time ran another sweet shop about 6 doors up,was it called the creamery???? and the midland bank has now gone and is a up market pottery/china shop.

I remember not so long ago (about 2001) that there was a tiny newsagent situated where the toning shop next door to Le Gatte is now. It was left empty for quite a while (still fully stocked) until the whole block was sold, renovated and then let out.

It was run by Vernon who now works in Waterstones, formerly Ottakers, opposite M&S.

clarks libray or should i say was a library many years ago is now a paper /sweet shop,and as you say was run by a guy called steve( steve russcoe he retired about 2 years ago
Mike, I believe Steve Ruscoe sold up a couple of years ago but I don't think he has actually retired.

You will probably find Steve working more sensible hours these days at another newsagents up by the Empire Hotel and on the corner of Church Walks/Upper Mostyn Street.

The new owner, Brian David, decided to retain the former name of Ruscoes.

The Dale Jones Cafe and bakery was next to the Kings Head, and until about 5 years ago the actual Cafe upstairs was exactly as it was when it closed down in the 70's. Including the kitchen with the old cooker and so on. The building still belongs to the Dale Jones family and they visit Llandudno often, unfortunatly Mrs Dale-Jones passed away several years ago. A truly lovely lady!!!

Does anyone remember the small sweet shop in craig y don and its name...the one i am talking about was situated where peters radio entrance is,if you look at the entrance you can see the two pillars either side of the entrance,that was the size of the small shop. then next to it you can see where the shoe shop was..i think it was called roberts shoe shop. these two pld shops where knocked together to form peters radio together with the old valley radio.The entrance to valley radio was right on the corner where peters radio turns towards the now bay grill that was the old forties ice creame.

I think the order of shops (towards Little Orme) was:

Ledsham, Tobacconist
Ladies Hairdresser
Rogers Sports (and toys ?)
Cross's Shoes

The building was designed by the prominent Llandudno Architect, Arthur Hewitt, (he also designed the Savoy, Palladium and Winter Gardens to name a few). Somewhere I have a photo taken of Victoria Buildings (which is the name of the parade of shops) shortly after they were built. If I find it I will pass to Craig to see if it can be scanned in.

I think the shops are now owned by Janet Finch Saunders (see also Garages) and rented out.

I just can't remember the name of the Italian barber but he later moved next door to Pratt's the Fishermongers where there is still a barber shop in business today. The shop is currently run by the lovely Laura. Previously, it was a guy called Benito, who I understand used to work as a barber on the cruise liners?

Who remembers the two vehicles owned by hills the florist in craig y don,if i remember they where the same colour orange as the screen boarder on this site. one was a 15cwt bedford van and their car i think was either a Ford consul or a zephyr. They seemd to have them for ever and a day,they just kept going and going and where always parked out side the shop.

Has anyone ever noticed the ornate Victorian sinage above Milletts in Mostyn Street? A very different sight would greet the eyes of the people pictured outside, if they were able to walk past around 150 years ago. Does anyone remember this shop when it was Cousin's Bakery and cafe, in the late 70's. I worked there for a while, and during the Bakers strike (remember the bakers strike?) Me and another guy stayed late and fired up the oven and baked a load of I know it used to be a butchers, as when Ethel Austin revamped the building last year, the tiled walls were exposed and the tiles made pictures of animals, sheep pigs cows etc. On the sign it says Purveyers too. I don't know if the shop was built for something else originally.

I think there is a preservation order of some sort on it,same as the Clock above the Halifax Building Society (86 Mostyn St)a few doors up. There is a fund set up to keep that running. It used to be "The Clock Vaults" (Overton House)owned by Richard Owen. I have yet to find the connection between the two families but i have a birth certificate dated 1882 stating a birth at 80 Mostyn St for one of Richard Owens decendants


Remember nearly all, Yes Reds My fave however serious Only 2 at a time rule for kids, then there was Fittons on the estate fordd morfa way, Billy macs selling school kids a penny cigarette, Orme cycles when it was by the post office where i would dream of bikes and toys later in the next shop dreaming of guitars. The woolies pic and mix which they put right by the door haha.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: SteveH on October 18, 2020, 10:09:22 am
The legendary independent high street shops that you are still missing
From Kavern Records to Sammys Sports these stores hold a special place in people's memories

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/legendary-independent-high-street-shops-19075508 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/legendary-independent-high-street-shops-19075508)
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: shnugs on October 26, 2020, 03:02:55 pm
The old sweet shop by Dyffryn road school, my first school it was on the corner and later became a Spa. Does anyone remember the auto parts shop in Deganwy with the old man and woman, they new every part in the world I did my mini up from there and was a regular.
Also woolies LLandudno  my mum worked there in the 70s. I knew all the woolies girls in the 80s, wonder where Mandy is now, top girl.
I worked everywhere when i was a kid, cafe on the end of the pier, the dolphin bar, amusements end of pier, lots of jobs on the pier actually, guest houses in church walks. Knew a lot of people in Thayers ice cream too as i worked in a garage down the road and got free ice cream the manager Gordon was a nice guy I heard he died a while ago shame, Viki T , Barney, Tracy, Brian and mike the supervisor. Had a job once as a projectionist in the Palladium man that was scary coming down from the top in the dark past the dead pigeons and old balcony. anyway cheers.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: shnugs on March 07, 2021, 02:10:45 pm
Does anyone remember the Barber shop in a basement inside another shop, you had to walk down stairs, I think it was up by the old woolworths.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bri Roberts on March 07, 2021, 06:05:15 pm
Yes, I remember.

Was it a tobacconists?
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: shnugs on March 07, 2021, 06:15:17 pm
Yes Bri it was and i am thinking was it the tobacconist by bog island or by woolies , I remmeber the tobaco shop near bog island was amazing and used to buy my Mostyn mix there, but seem to think the shop was narrow and then you went to back down 1 flight of stairs.. thanks for reply
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Cambrian on March 07, 2021, 06:25:55 pm
Yes, the Rowlands brothers ran the businesses.  One brother had the tobacconists and the other a fresh fruit and veg stall outside.  The barbers was down stairs as you say. It was at 109 Mostyn Street between the Cambridge and what was Woolworths.  The fruit business was called Stange & Co.  Not sure the reason.  Interestingly that name was carried on for the trading company of the Cottage Loaf by Bill Rowlands when he left the the Mostyn Street premises.  When the Cottage Loaf was sold on, the name Stange & Co is still used by the group which now owns it and several other gastro pubs in North Wales and the Wirral.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: shnugs on March 07, 2021, 06:44:04 pm
Cambrian Thank you, yes it come back now. he just had 2 chairs down there i was 9 or so. btw sad really the tobacco shop at bog island was such a treasure, the smells and all getting my mix before going in the pub. again thank you .
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: norman08 on March 07, 2021, 07:42:08 pm
The tobacconist by bog island was the Premier, Peter Kelly had it when he left the Links pub.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: shnugs on March 08, 2021, 09:53:04 am
 $3towns$ thanks guys, nice to remember the good times and not the usual crap that went on there.  &well&
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Helig on March 08, 2021, 03:18:48 pm
The Rowlands brothers were some sort of relations to my family. I am not quite sure how they fit in. We used to often call on the brother in the fruit and veg shop in Mostyn St. That was back in the 1960s.

Helig.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Helig on March 09, 2021, 03:37:51 pm
Does anyone remember Blairmans? The firm of Blairman was established in Llandudno in 1884. They sold porcelain, china, and other decorative items. There are details on the shop and family here:

https://blairman.co.uk/about/ (https://blairman.co.uk/about/)

https://blairman.co.uk/philip-blairman-early-memories-words/ (https://blairman.co.uk/philip-blairman-early-memories-words/)

https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/print-edition/2017/july/2299/dealer-s-diary/why-the-blairman-bunch-do-like-to-be-beside-the-seaside/ (https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/print-edition/2017/july/2299/dealer-s-diary/why-the-blairman-bunch-do-like-to-be-beside-the-seaside/)

https://www.google.com/search?q=blairmans+llandudno&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=AkPO1elfxKfgbM%252Cpei5FT00JYIFSM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSOXrFzBn91WNKfJ5NbE7ixeLmMZw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6157-waPvAhVAQUEAHQLCDKwQ9QF6BAgREAE (https://www.google.com/search?q=blairmans+llandudno&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=AkPO1elfxKfgbM%252Cpei5FT00JYIFSM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSOXrFzBn91WNKfJ5NbE7ixeLmMZw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6157-waPvAhVAQUEAHQLCDKwQ9QF6BAgREAE)

I remember my mother talking about it so it must have been in existence in her lifetime. She was born in 1923 in Llandudno. A photo shown on the first link shows the shop on the corner of Mostyn St and Lloyd St.

It may be that there is no one alive now who recalls this but has anyone heard about it?

Helig
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: Bri Roberts on March 09, 2021, 07:07:45 pm
Here is a photo, Helig.

P.S. I clearly posted this, Helig, before reading your links.
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno...NW Woolworths
Post by: SteveH on May 24, 2021, 10:31:10 am
A look back at Woolworths in North Wales captured in these poignant pictures
The former HIgh Street giant disappeared from our streets.

cont/photo gallery https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/look-back-woolworths-north-wales-20653187 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/look-back-woolworths-north-wales-20653187)
Title: Re: Vanished shops of Llandudno
Post by: tonyf on May 25, 2021, 08:53:21 pm
My old school friend Ian Botham's (not the Ian Botham) father was the manager of Woolworths in the early 60's. A good man! They rented a house in Church Walks, snooker table etc - great days. Ian was a big oppo of Tommy Atherton and I believe Ian emigrated to Oz as an apprentice book binder? Paul, his eldest brother worked in town as an electrician for an old war vet working from back Maboc street? Paul had a 1930's car (Riley maybe) that had two seats when you opened the boot. Paul took me, Phill Plevey and another who I can't remember to Manchester to visit Billy Baskerville who's father ran the Carlton and had been posted to another pub. Phill and I sat in the back getting a load of looks! Funnily, both myself, Phill and Billy joined the RN before we knew what Ian did? I'm in touch with Phill (lives in Scotland) but if anyone has any info on the Botham's or Baskervilles I would much appreciate it.