Small Retail outlets along the High Street & Kingsway, Dovercourt Bay, Essex
B F.Bowtell. 56 Kingsway, Dovercourt (1900) H&D FW
Fred Bowtell outside his Grocery Store at 56 The Kingsway, Dovercourt, Essex (1920)
These premises were built around 1912 for store owner Mr W.Bensley, but later taken over by Fred Bowtell in 1920 who sold a wide range of high class groceries, it remained in business until around 1958, the premises were then later used by “Goslings”, then “Gardner’s” and more recently the “Dovercourt D.I.Y. Centre Ltd”.
Next door to the shop on the left was the "Co-op", built in 1928 on the old Brickfields, more recently it converted to the “The Bottle Kiln”, while to the right was located “The Empire Theatre” which opened on 29th March 1913 as a cinema, but also presenting stage shows as well as films, however it sadly closed in 1954 and was later demolished and replaced by more retail outlets in 1963.
These premises were built around 1912 for store owner Mr W.Bensley, but later taken over by Fred Bowtell in 1920 who sold a wide range of high class groceries, it remained in business until around 1958, the premises were then later used by “Goslings”, then “Gardner’s” and more recently the “Dovercourt D.I.Y. Centre Ltd”.
Next door to the shop on the left was the "Co-op", built in 1928 on the old Brickfields, more recently it converted to the “The Bottle Kiln”, while to the right was located “The Empire Theatre” which opened on 29th March 1913 as a cinema, but also presenting stage shows as well as films, however it sadly closed in 1954 and was later demolished and replaced by more retail outlets in 1963.
C Charley's 182 High St, Dovercourt (1934) H&D FW
C Co-operative Society, Kingsway (1928) H&D FW
C Co-operative Society, Kingsway 1988 F
C Dovercourt & Harwich. Co-Operative Society, Kingsway (1902) H&D FW
D Disc & Denim Greetings Card (1983) H&D FW
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G Grice & Son, 104 High St, Dovercourt (1905) H&D FW
Grice & Son, The High Street, Dovercourt, Essex (1905)
One of my favourite postcards, is this early view of the retailer “Grice & Son” on Dovercourt High Street in 1905. It captured a period when retailers were proud of their businesses and posed for photos outside the doors (the names of whom are clearly shown above the entrances, in this case one "William Clouter Grice").
At the turn of the century, the major retail and commercial centre of the town, was concentrated at the Eastern end of the High Street, situated around Orwell Terrace and Station Road, other shops located here included the Post Office.
Grice & Son sold a wide range of groceries and beverages, from “Birds Custard with Prunes” through to "Fine Burgundies".
To the left of the shop would have been the private gardens of “Cliffe House” (John Bagshaw's residence built in 1845 but sadly demolished in 1909) which were eventually turned into Cliffe Park in 1911. William Grice's Son, also opened another shop, in Market Street Harwich retailing Wines & Spirits.
One of my favourite postcards, is this early view of the retailer “Grice & Son” on Dovercourt High Street in 1905. It captured a period when retailers were proud of their businesses and posed for photos outside the doors (the names of whom are clearly shown above the entrances, in this case one "William Clouter Grice").
At the turn of the century, the major retail and commercial centre of the town, was concentrated at the Eastern end of the High Street, situated around Orwell Terrace and Station Road, other shops located here included the Post Office.
Grice & Son sold a wide range of groceries and beverages, from “Birds Custard with Prunes” through to "Fine Burgundies".
To the left of the shop would have been the private gardens of “Cliffe House” (John Bagshaw's residence built in 1845 but sadly demolished in 1909) which were eventually turned into Cliffe Park in 1911. William Grice's Son, also opened another shop, in Market Street Harwich retailing Wines & Spirits.
G Gage, the High Street, Dovercourt (1904) H&D FW (on the corner of Waddesdon Road) |
J James & Cooper, Dovercourt (19--) H&D FW |
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H H.S. Howlett & Son, Kingsway, Dovercourt (1980) H&D FW
I International Stores, High Street, Dovercourt (1904) H&D FW
K Kingsway Cinema Side View (1930) H&D FW
This illuminated night shot of the shop below "shows a full window display advertising "Quality Street" with Miss Sweetly and Major Quality taking centre stage, it must have been a favourite “stop-off” for visitors to the “Empire” next door . All around the world there is one tin of treats that is a sure favourite. Whether its opened after dinner on Christmas day, given as a gift for a special occasion, or waiting in the cupboard for someone to fancy something sweet, there is nothing better than a colourful tin of Quality Street.
L A.R.Lamb Kingsway Dovercourt (1924) H&D FC |
P Pattinson ~ Corner of High Street & Kingsway, Dovercourt R (1903 ) H&D FW |
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A.R. Lamb was next door to the Post Office & is today RB Stores Premier Express
"A.R.Lamb" ~ Hairdresser and Tobacconist, 24 Kingsway, Dovercourt, Essex (1924).
Located in the Kingsway (formally known as "Stour Road") was "A.R. Lamb". A popular Ladies and Gents Hairdresser, Tobacconist, Cosmetics and Perfumery store. The store was adjacent to the Dovercourt Post Office, which was built a decade later in 1934 (as seen in the second card). Today the building still stands and is the location of the Premier - R B Stores. On the opposite side of the road were the villas along with Dovercourt Station in the distance.
Located in the Kingsway (formally known as "Stour Road") was "A.R. Lamb". A popular Ladies and Gents Hairdresser, Tobacconist, Cosmetics and Perfumery store. The store was adjacent to the Dovercourt Post Office, which was built a decade later in 1934 (as seen in the second card). Today the building still stands and is the location of the Premier - R B Stores. On the opposite side of the road were the villas along with Dovercourt Station in the distance.
M A.Mastaglio, High Street, Dovercourt (1904) H&D FW
O Oakland Road Stores (Miss Mason in doorway) M FW
P Frank G Petch, Dovecourt (1928) H&D FW
P John M Petch (19--) H&D FW |
J.Saunders ~ Bracing Dovercourt 05 (1907) H&D FW |
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S J.A.Saunders, Dovercourt, Essex (1913) Wallis H&D FW
~"S" ~ John Self, High Street, Dovercourt (1906) H&D ~
The John Self Store, Dovercourt High Street, Dovercourt Bay (1906).
An early Dovercourt photograph from around 1906, showing the John Self’s store with its gas lamps and goods on display outside, boasting its own sports department. The store offered plumbing and gas fitting services, alongside a wide selection of garden tools and furniture on one side and ironmongery and china products on the other side. The buildings to the right of the shop at this time, were still being used as residential housing, but were later converted into further retail outlets, shortly after this photo was taken. I like the fact the junior store employee, is peering out of the basement. A second John Self store was based in King Quays Street, Harwich.
An early Dovercourt photograph from around 1906, showing the John Self’s store with its gas lamps and goods on display outside, boasting its own sports department. The store offered plumbing and gas fitting services, alongside a wide selection of garden tools and furniture on one side and ironmongery and china products on the other side. The buildings to the right of the shop at this time, were still being used as residential housing, but were later converted into further retail outlets, shortly after this photo was taken. I like the fact the junior store employee, is peering out of the basement. A second John Self store was based in King Quays Street, Harwich.
J.Saunders ~ Bracing Dovercourt 07 (1907) H&D FW
J.Saunders ~ Bracing Dovercourt 07a (1932) H&D FW
J.Saunders ~ Bracing Dovercourt 02 (1907) H&D FW
S Suncrust Bakery, Dovercourt (19--) H&D FW
F W Woolworths Later Iceland (2008) H&D FW
W Woolworths, High Street, Essex (2007) H&D FW
Woolworths store, 246-250 High Street, Dovercourt Built in 1934.
Known as the "3d & 6d" store. Store Number 535, opened in 1934, sadly closed on 30th December 2008.
The frontage was increased by one half in 1937 (note builders sign to the left below).
Re-opened as Iceland on 17th December 2009.
Known as the "3d & 6d" store. Store Number 535, opened in 1934, sadly closed on 30th December 2008.
The frontage was increased by one half in 1937 (note builders sign to the left below).
Re-opened as Iceland on 17th December 2009.
~ "W" ~ Woolworth's, Dovercourt High Street, Essex (1936) H&D ~
