Worcester corner shops memories by Sheena Payne-Lunn

Today’s feature includes a few more, some of which were mentioned in the memories shared.

We were delighted to receive a call in response to one of the photographs from John Hewlett, who told us that the sweetshop in Friar Street belonged to his gran.

Mr Hewlett and his twin brother were born at the shop in Friar Street in 1936, before moving to Claines a year later.

His mother continued to serve in the shop, though Mr Hewlett took a different path, serving in the Worcestershire Regiment.

Infirmary Walk in the early 60s

Other readers on our We grew up in Worcester Facebook page were taken back by the story and pictures.

Shane Phelps said: "There was one on the corner of White Ladies Close and Cumberland Street (Llewellen's) where my mum sent me to get a bag of potatoes,or bottle of milk.

"There was Mrs Lea's shop at the bottom of Lansdowne road (next to Priory Walk Alley). There were so many, we had to have means of identifying them,usually via their paintwork; the one at the bottom of Lansdowne road, opposite The chestnut Pub we called the 'black and white' shop (which sold paraffin on tap) and the one on the corner of Chestnut Walk and Chestnut Street we called the 'green' shop.

Payne’s shop on the corner of George Street and St Paul’s Street in the Blockhouse in 1951

"The one in the photo was the corner of Wood Terrace was already converted into a house when I remember it. Andrew Tyrell (a friend at that time) lived there."

Julie Millard asked: "Anyone remember Mr Winkle’s shop on the corner of Nelson Rd in St John's?"

Deborah Kyte said: "I worked at Old Northwick Stores for about 10 years – Alex and Dorothy Coleman were lovely people."

Sandra Southall recalled Mr and Mrs Guest at the corner of East Street and Powell's in Southfield Street.

Philip Bannister said: "I remember Mr and Mrs Spiller's at the shop at the other end of the block in the picture in Sansome Walk, opposite the Motor Tax office where I worked in the early 1960s.

"I used to pop in for the odd Mars bar but across to Gardner's bakery in The Tything for a sausage roll and cream doughnut, especially for tea when we were working overtime."

Helen Pitt said: " Our local shop was Woodward's in Checketts Lane... I was very proud to go there on my own as a kid."

Corner of Comer Road and Nelson Road in the early 1960s

Stephanie Price and Katie Parsons, Michele Jones and Carole Grealy all remembered Mr and Mrs Devitio's in Cavendish Street.

Katie said: "I used to love going to see Mr Devitio when I went to visit my Nan on Waverley Street (her house backed on to Cavendish Street with a back gate so made for a quicker trip to the shop!)"

Kathy Simons said: "As a small child we had one on the corner of Northwick Road before the pub. Then the corner shop became Yates in Victoria Street in Barbourne, then it moved up to the corner before the main road (Ombersley Road)before the Co-op opened."

Kay Jones said: "I used to go to Watkins Astwood road. before self service came in. I was 2d short. I went home and brought it straight back. he gave me 2 bluebird chocolate covered toffees. for being honest. I'd never had them before I was over the moon."

Tim Lewis remembered Mrs Crump's store – opposite St Stephen's church on the Droitwich Road, while Nick Cull mentioned Mrs Lane's on the junction of The Hill Avenue and St Dunstan's Crescent.

Bill Green said: "I lived in one in my early years although it was in a terrace not on a corner. But a sell-everything, open-all-hours style local shop all the same. Le Bon’s in Carden Street."

Jean Fowler said: "We had a corner shop in Orchard Street. I think the owners were called Mr and Mrs Wanklin."

Judith Pankhurst mentioned Taylor’s on the corner opposite The Brunswick Arms on Malvern Road, St John’s, opposite Christopher Whitehead School.

Worcester Life Stories is a collaborative project bringing local people together through shared stories of the City of Worcester.

It is co-led by Dr Natasha Lord, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Sheena Payne-Lunn, Worcester City Council and funded thanks to National Lottery players. For further information or to share your stories visit worcesterlifestories.org.uk, our Facebook page or Twitter @worlifestories. You can also email worcesterlifestories@gmail.com or call 01905 721133.

Or you can go to We grew up in Worcester on Facebook and join the conversation there.