Category: Stoke-on-Trent

Memory Lane – Burslem Woolworths

sabrina's avatarWoolies Buildings - Then and Now

17-19 St John’s Square, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST6 3AN

Woolworths opened in Burslem in September 1929 in a purpose-built two-storey building. According to the book Burslem Through Time by Mervyn Edwards, the first store manager was L.H. Hewitt. This branch of Woolworths stocked a range of locally manufactured china and pottery items.

Burslem Woolworths 1930s Burslem Woolworths 1930s

Source: Historic England

In 1966 the store was modernised – this photo was taken just after the store reopened. Doors were moved to the left, and inside you can see signage on the walls saying ‘Quality Foods’ and ‘Frozen Foods’. The store was quite long inside.

Burslem Woolworths 1966Burslem Woolworths 1966

Source: Seaton, P.

Burslem Woolworths 1994 Burslem Woolworths 1994

Source: Burslem Through Time – Edwards, M.

Burslem Woolworths 2000 Burslem Woolworths 2000

Source: The Potteries

The store lasted until the end, closing on 2nd January 2009.

Burslem Woolworths 2008 Burslem Woolworths 2008

Source: The Potteries

It became a Poundstretcher for a few years…

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Memory Lane – Tunstall Woolworths

Until they closed in 2009, Woolworths stores dominated the High Street in Britain’s small towns and cities.

Affectionately known as “Woolies”, they sold a wide range of goods ranging from children’s toys and sweets to tins of paint and cutlery. Prices were reasonable and Woolworths attracted customers from all walks of life. If you and your family went shopping at Woolworths in Tunstall, please share your memories of shopping there with us. We look forward to hearing from you. Our email address is northstaffordshireheritage@outlook.com

Tunstall Woolworths – Store 483

New life for an old building

Ambitious plans for the Queen’s Theatre

Ambitious plans have been made to save “Burslem’s new town hall”, a listed heritage building that houses the Queen’s Theatre and the Prince’s Hall.

The proposals made in a report prepared for Stoke-on-Trent City Council by architectural consultants Affinity Design and Management would cost over 12 million pounds to implement.

The theatre and the hall were abandoned many years ago, and it will cost about £320,000 to make the building safe.

If the council accepts them, the proposals could make the theatre a conference centre, an exhibition hall or a venue for Asian weddings and the foyer could become a bar or restaurant.

The Prince’s Hall would be turned into retail shops or become one or two-bedroom flats with a shared roof garden.

Can You Help Sandra?

How Did Pickle Onion Entry Get Its Name?

Sandra, who grew up in Tunstall during the 1970s, remembers Pickle Onion Entry. The entry ran on the north side of a pottery factory in Scotia Road to Wardle Street, a cul-de-sac leading to The Boulevard.

Sandra can’t remember the factory’s name. She recalls that Barbers Palace backed onto the north side of the entry which was long and straight with high walls on either side. If you can remember the entry or know how it got its name, please get in touch and share your memories.

Our email address is northstaffordshireheritage@outlook.com

The name Pickle Onion Entry must be unique.

Like Sandra, we should like to know how the entry got its name and look forward to receiving your emails.

Note: Sandra contacted us a year ago. Although people can remember the entry no one has been able to tell us how it got its name. Can you solve the mystery?