We may have the World's Biggest Primark and a new branch of M&S on the horizon, but shopping has changed in Birmingham city centre of late. The Bullring and Grand Central have more 'things to do' these days than the Bullring did when it opened 20 years ago, with a bowling alley, mini golf and VR bar.
With so many things changing, we wanted to take a trip down memory lane to see what shops were in the city centre in the decades before the Bullring overhaul. And so, we turned the clock back 65 years to see what you could buy in the years post-war in town.
We had a look through newspapers from 1957 to peep at the advertisements. What shops existed in the city back then and what were they selling?
Read more: Bullring chicken shop opens second branch on New Street today - and wings are free
Poll: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
Moreover, how much did things cost back then? Here, we're looking at city centre shops that were promoting their wares to Birmingham shoppers back in 1957. Some of the adverts really made us smile!
The important thing to note here is that the prices listed aren't what we're used to seeing today. Before decimalisation in 1971, money was divided into pounds, shillings and pence (£:s:d). Note that one pound was made up of 240 pence, with 12 pence to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound.
Confusing if you're not used to it but we've had a look at the Bank of England's inflation calculator and so just note that £1 back in 1957 equates to around £19.92 today.
Edward Grey, Bull Street, Birmingham
Greys advertised itself as "Birmingham's Own Store" and its winter sale 1957 was particularly popping. Teaspoons were 7d each while 750 watt electric fires would set you back 32/6.
The men's Gaberdine raincoats, with or without belts, were from £7 which seems a bit steep! Double bed crepe quilt covers embroidered in beige, rose, green, wine or gold were 25/- and boys dressing gowns, 35/-.
Moor Street Warehouse, adjoining Moor Street station
A "retail department store", Moor Street Warehouse opened in 1907. On it's 50th anniversary, it announced: "For fifty years the Partners of this family business have striven successfully to serve The General Public of Birmingham and the Midlands with reliable goods for personal wear and household use at strictly competitive prices."
It described its items as 'wonder bargains' that are 'offered daily' but we don't have exact prices. What we do have is the knowledge that it's 'fashions show-room' was 'recently redecorated to please you' in 1957, with fashions on the first floor.
The warehouse sold shoes from brands like Clark's, Diana, Lotus and Portland as well as 'other well-known makes of smart yet comfortable fitting'. In an extra note, they told Brummies: "N.B. Your feet deserve to be well-shod!"
Birmingham Co-operative Society Ltd, High Street
The Birmingham Co-operative Society was formed in the 1880s and by 1957, they had a branch on the High Street. There, ladies dress skirts were 20/- and you could get loads and loads of other stuff too.
Among them, couch suites for £38-2-6, which the store advertised saying: "Couch suites: "You will save pounds on this purchase. Thoroughly reliable and well made. Easily converted studio couch and two fireside chairs to match":
Fully sprung mattress with five year guarantees were £5-15-0, men's suits were 105/- and men's football boots were priced at 15/0. In wedding season, you could get a three tiered 'beautiful' cake for £7-15-0 (round) or £8-10-0 (square).
Wilson & Sons, 77-78 New Street
We don't know lots about Wilson & Sons, but they were selling double bed quilts 'recovered in attractive rayon brocade, available in gold/black, blue/gold or green/silver' for 69/6. Usually, they said, they'd cost 105/-!
The Midland Educational - Booksellers, Stationers, Corporation Street
If you wanted wedding invites and other bits and bobs, you'd visit The Midland Educational. They sold open wedding invitations from 2/9 for a box of 10.
Printed invitation cards were priced from 14/3 for 25 while there were prayer and hymn books, confetti and decorations as well. "Visit window display!" they advised, and we wish we could.
Camera House, Corporation Street and Paradise Street
We have very little to go on with The Camera House, which kept its advertising pretty minimal. "The camera centre of the Midlands!" they said. You could also just hire a photographer from The Birmingham Post Studios on 38 New Street.
They advertised every week in the Birmingham Post and Midland Pictorial, writing: "When you need a photographer call MIDland 4461 and ask for Mr Boyes. He will be pleased to give you every service".
Achille Serre, 8 Islington Row, Five Ways
Not a shop but a cleaning service. 'For extra care', you'd choose Achille Serre! Their adverts were particularly amusing!
"What do people see of you? Only 10% is you: 90% is clothes. So keep smart - you can't afford not to!" they said, sharing that for cleaning, coats would cost 5/11, skirts 2/11 and felt hats, 4/6.
Lesly's, 4 Steelhouse Lane and 17 Washwood Heath Road, Saltley
Self-described as The American Jewellers, Lesly's had a couple of shops and from there you could buy wedding and engagement rings. An 18ct gold platinum-set three heart ring, set in real diamonds, was described as 'the new American rage' and would set you back £8-8-0 - not much more than the price of a rain coat at Greys!
Meanwhile, 22ct solid gold wedding rings were 55/-, 'very heavy' options that could be plain or engraved were 100/0 and 'extra heavy' ones were £6-10-0.
Hardwicks Children's Wear, Great Western Arcade
"Here indeed you can shop happily for Baby's first and future wardrobe," said Hardwicks when it opened in 1957. "From tots to teenagers!"
A dozen Zorbit Popular terry napkins were 35/6 (that's nappies, not the things you dab your mouth with!" and summer dresses were priced from 18/11.
Shalimar: Where West meets East, 16 Lower Priory
"Mr AA Malik has pleasure in announcing that patrons make purchase exclusive continental and oriental foods and spices from his newly opened 'Spice Box'," read an advert for Shalimar. "Enjoy a first-class meal in true Oriental style to music at Shalimar Restaurant."
They also promoted the opening of 'The Light of Asia' opposite the Law Courts, describing it as "the new spacious Continental and Oriental Restaurant".
Pond for Tools, 192-194 Corporation Street
Pongs moved to Corporation Street from Steelhouse Lane in November 1957. We don't know prices but they sold table cutlery, Dormer drills and more!
Bucklands Linen Store, 22 Great Western Arcade
"Lovely gifts at reasonable prices" were on offer at Bucklands, including "embroidered linen breakfast sets, cloth and naps, tea cosies, contemporary tray and luncheon sets, hundreds of gaily printed linen glass cloths, boxed towel or pillow sets and of course a wonderful assortment of handkerchiefs to choose from."
Harrison and Fowler Ltd, Upper Priory off Old Square, Broad Street, Five Ways and Birchfield Road, Six Ways
It's another store we don't have prices for, but Harrison and Fowler Ltd sold typewriters! "For someone special, give a typewriter because it makes a superior, sensible and lasting GIFT!" they said, adding: "More typewriters than ever will be given this Christmas."
Lewis's of Birmingham, Department Store between Old Square, Corporation Street and Bull Street
Described as "the store of a million gifts", Lewis's had mohair scarves for 10/11, power tools for the handy-man for £7-19-6 for a Bridges drill, Falcon pan sets for 69/11, turkeys ready for the oven for 50/- and mince pies filled with Robertson's mince meat, three for 1/-.
For children, you could get Merrythought laughing dogs for 31/6, Swiss musical dolls for 39/11 and a cap firing machine gun for 12/6.
They also had a Cinderella grotto for Christmas where you could 'meet Father Christmas and Uncle Holly'. The store said that it "glitters with the magic of Fairland. Six amazingly life-like scenes, full of colour and movement, tell the story of Cinderella and her exciting visit to the ball. Grotto parcels each 2/6."
