Shops taken from Newton Aycliffe Tenants' Handbooks 1953 - 1961 |
Introduction Many people in Newton Aycliffe, me included, complain about the state of our Town Centre. Long time residents will be able to remember a Town Centre full of a variety of shops, some may even remember the road running through the middle, or even the Town Centre’s construction. I am lucky enough to have a number of Tenants’ Handbooks provided by Aycliffe Development Corporation in the ‘50s and ‘60s. These books listed retailers in the various shopping centres, Neville Parade, Simpasture and then the Town Centre. I spent quite a while looking through the retailers listed and the adverts which appear in the booklets and then compiled the lists set out below. The terminology used is quite interesting, shops are referred to as “butchery”, “bakery”, “sweet confectioners”, “gardening requisites”, “provisions” and “fancy goods”! I have tried to keep the wording exactly as it was given. Changes from one book to another I have highlighted in red. Unfortunately I only have a limited number of books 1953, 1955, 1957, 1959 and 1961. (If you have any others I would love to see them if possible!) The books I have after 1961 only have a few adverts in and no directories of retailers. I know that the way people shop today has changed from the 1950s but I still think the lists below are quite interesting and show what people could buy in Newton Aycliffe at one time! Dave Ellis 1953 Neville Parade No. 1 Mr J. N. Holmes – Bakery & Confectionery – Café & snack bar – Barclays Bank branch office No. 2 J. H. Dewhurst – Butchery No. 3 Mr E. Wood - Chemists – Fancy goods – Photographic equipment, printing & developing – Private library – Off licence No. 4 Mr E. W. Pryce - Gardening, seeds, plants & gardening requisites – Flowers, wreaths & bouquets – Fruit & vegetables (fresh, tinned & frozen) No. 5 Mrs L. J. Stevens- Cigarettes & tobacco – Fancy goods – Stationery & newsagents – Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery – Sub post office No. 6 W. Duncan Ltd - Groceries & provisions No. 7 Aycliffe Fisheries Ltd – Wet, dried & fried fish No. 8 Mr M. Collinson - Gardening tools – Radios, cycles etc – Decorating materials No. 9 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Bakery & confectionery – Milk, groceries and provisions * No. 10 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Butchery * No. 11 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Gardening, seeds & plants - Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery ( * Note – I think these are the wrong way round) New Lane 1953 (now Finchale Road) Mr H. Cox Gent’s hairdressing W. Duncan Ltd Groceries & provisions – Public Library Other services listed in the 1953 Handbook Haulage - J. K. Natrass, Wellhouse Farm, Burn Lane Laundry - Aycliffe Laundry Ltd. Aycliffe Trading Estate Milk – Mr J. Carey 3 Travellers’ Green Rediffusion enquiries – Mr G. Robson, 7 Lee Green The Gretna Green Inn also has an advert in the book with Sid Cracknell as proprietor 1955 No. 1 J. N. Holmes – Bakery & Confectionery – Café & snack bar No. 2 J. H. Dewhurst – Butchery No. 3 Chamberlain & Wood Ltd - Chemists – Fancy goods - Photographic equipment, printing & developing – Private library – Off licence No. 4 E. W. Pryce - Gardening, seeds, plants & gardening requisites – Flowers, wreaths & bouquets – Fruit & vegetables (fresh, tinned & frozen) No. 5 Mrs L. J. Stevens- Cigarettes & tobacco – Fancy goods – Stationery & newsagents – Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery – Sub post office No. 6 W. Duncan Ltd - Groceries & provisions No. 7 Aycliffe Fisheries Ltd – Wet, dried & fried fish No. 8 M. Collinson - Decorating materials Gardening requisites- Tools, seeds & plants – Radios, cycles etc – Hardware- Dry Cleaning No. 9 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Bakery & confectionery – Milk, groceries and provisions * No. 10 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Butchery * ( * Note – I think these are the wrong way round) No. 11 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Gardening, seeds & plants - Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery No. 23 Barclay’s Bank Ltd- Branch office “The Oak Tree” Neville Parade – Licensed premises New Lane 1955 (now Finchale Road) Mrs Atkin (Lynne’s) Ladies’ hairdressing W. Duncan Ltd Groceries & provisions – Public Library Simpasture Gate 1955 No. 1 H. Cox - Cigarettes & tobacco – Fancy goods - Gent’s hairdressing – Stationery & newsagents – Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery – Sub post office No. 5 R. L. Coggins - Gardening, seeds, plants & gardening requisites – Greengrocery - Groceries & provisions No. 8 J. N. Holmes - Bakery & Confectionery – Butchery No. 9 M. Hutchinson - Drapery, Baby Linen etc No. 10 Martin’s Bank Ltd – Branch office No. 11 Northern Dairies Ltd – Milk etc “The Iron Horse” Licensed premises Workingmen’s Club - The Lodge, Simpasture Other services listed in the 1955 Handbook Electricity Service Centre - North East Electricity Board, Shafto Way Haulage - J. K. Natrass, Wellhouse Farm, Burn Lane Laundry - Aycliffe Laundry Ltd. Aycliffe Trading Estate Licensed premises – Gretna Green Wedding Inn, Great North Road Milk, cream & orange juice– Mr J. Carey, 3 Travellers’ Green Taxis services - G. T. Pallace, 8 Congreve Terrace, Aycliffe Television rental - aerials – Mr G. Robson, 7 Lee Green 1957 No. 1 J. N. Holmes – Bakery & Confectionery – Café & snack bar No. 2 J. H. Dewhurst – Butchery No. 3 Peverell’s (Chemists) Ltd - Chemists – Fancy goods - Photographic equipment, printing & developing – Wines & spirits off licence No. 4 E. W. Pryce - Gardening, seeds, plants & gardening requisites – Flowers, wreaths & bouquets – No. 5 L. J. Stevens - Cigarettes & tobacco – Fancy goods – Stationery & newsagents – Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery – Sub post office No. 6 W. Duncan Ltd - Groceries & provisions No. 7 Aycliffe Fisheries Ltd – Wet, dried & fried fish No. 8 M. Collinson - Decorating materials Gardening requisites- Tools, seeds & plants – Radios, cycles etc – Hardware- Dry Cleaning No. 9 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Bakery & confectionery – Milk, groceries and provisions * No. 10 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Butchery * No. 11 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Gardening, seeds & plants – Greengrocery - Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery No. 23 Barclay’s Bank Ltd- Branch office “The Oak Tree” Licensed premises Town Centre 1957 Beveridge Way New Lane 1957 (now Finchale Road) Mrs Atkin Ladies’ hairdressing W. Duncan Ltd Groceries & provisions Simpasture Gate 1957 No. 1 Forbuoy’s Ltd - Cigarettes & tobacco – Fancy goods - Stationery & newsagents – Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery – Sub post office No. 5 R. L. Coggins - Gardening, seeds, plants & gardening requisites – Greengrocery - Groceries & provisions No. 9 M. Hutchinson - Drapery, Baby Linen etc No. 10 Martin’s Bank Ltd – Branch office No. 11 Northern Dairies Ltd – Milk etc “The Iron Horse” Licensed premises Other services listed in the 1957 Handbook Electricity Service Centre - North East Electricity Board, Shafto Way Haulage - J. K. Natrass, Wellhouse Farm, Burn Lane Laundry - Aycliffe Laundry Ltd. Aycliffe Trading Estate Milk – Speight & Cottingham 10 Tunstall Road Taxis services - G. T. Pallace, 8 Congreve Terrace, Aycliffe Working Men’s Club & Institute Ltd. Sheraton Road RAFA Canopus Club Pease Way/ Barrington Road 1959 No. 1 Savoy Bakery Ltd – Bread, cakes etc No. 2 J. H. Dewhurst – Butchers No. 3 Peverell’s (Chemists) Ltd - Chemists – Wines & spirits No. 4 E. W. Pryce - Greengrocery & flowers, etc No. 5 L. J. Stevens - Cigarettes & tobacco – Fancy goods – Stationery & newsagents – Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery – Sub post office No. 6 W. Duncan Ltd - Grocery & provisions No. 7 Aycliffe Fisheries Ltd – Wet & fried fish No. 8 M. Collinson - Radio, television, hardware, paints, etc No. 11 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Bread, cakes, etc No. 23 Barclay’s Bank Ltd - Branch office “The Oak Tree” Licensed premises Electricity Service Centre - North East Electricity Board, Shafto Way Simpasture Gate 1959 (Ward “B” Centre) No. 1 Forbuoy’s Ltd - Newspapers, sweets, tobacco etc No. 5 R. L. Coggins - Greengrocery & flowers - Sub post office No. 9 M. & C. E. Hutchinson - Baby Linen, wools, etc No. 10 Martin’s Bank Ltd – Branch office No. 11 Northern Dairies Ltd – Milk etc “The Iron Horse” Licensed premises Town Centre 1959 Beveridge Way No. 2 Midland Bank Ltd No. 4 Zip (French Cleaners) Ltd No. 6 Robson & Gray – Ladies’ wear, gowns, etc No. 12 Brough’s Ltd - Grocery and provisions No. 14 Walter Thompson - Greengroceries, flowers etc No. 16 J. H. Dewhurst – Butchers No. 18 Meadow Dairy Ltd – Grocery and provisions No. 20 Carrick’s (Caterers) Ltd – Bread, cakes, etc No. 22 Timothy, White & Taylors Ltd – Hardware No. 26 Finlay & Co – Cigarettes, tobacco, etc No. 28 Freeman, Hardy & Willis Ltd – Boots & shoes No. 30 F. W. Woolworth Ltd – Department store No. 32/34 Moore’s Stores Ltd – Grocery and provisions No. 40 A. Saum - Optician No. 42 E. Miller - Chemist No. 64 H. & G. Batchelor - Grocery & provisions No. 66 J. H. Harding & Co - Toys, fancy goods, hardware, etc No. 68 M. & C. E. Hutchinson - Baby Linen, wools, etc No. 70 R. Bousfield - Wet & fried fish No. 72 Walter Willson Ltd - Grocery & provisions No. 74 Savoy Bakery Ltd – Bread, cakes etc No. 80 H. Cox - Ladies’ & Gent’s hairdressing Harold Taylor - Garage & service station, Central Avenue Dalton Way (1959) No. 43 Hocking & Peacock - Motor cycles, scooters & accessories No. 41 T. Relton & Son Ltd- Wines, spirits & beers No. 39 W. Duncan Ltd - Grocery & provisions No. 37 Forbuoy’s Ltd - Newspapers, sweets, tobacco etc Service Industry. Greenwell Road No. 11/12 Penguin Electricals- Auto electrical & electrical appliance repairers No. 15/17 Speight & Cottingham – Milk retailers Finchale Road “Lynn” - Ladies’ hairdressing Other services listed in the 1959 Handbook Laundry - Aycliffe Laundry Ltd & Spruce the Cleaners, Aycliffe Trading Estate Car Hire – Aycliffe Car hire Ltd. Carlbury Road Garage 1961 No. 1 Savoy Bakery Ltd – Bread, cakes etc No. 2 J. H. Dewhurst – Butchers No. 3 Peverell’s (Chemists) Ltd - Chemists – Wines & spirits No. 4 E. W. Pryce - Greengrocery & flowers, etc No. 5 L. J. Stevens - Cigarettes & tobacco – Fancy goods – Stationery & newsagents – Sweets, chocolates & sugar confectionery – Sub post office No. 6 W. Duncan Ltd - Grocery & provisions No. 7 Aycliffe Fisheries Ltd – Wet & fried fish No. 8 M. Collinson - Radio, television, hardware, paints, etc No. 11 Bishop Auckland Co-operative Society - Bread, cakes, etc No. 23 S. Fisher - Licensed betting office “The Oak Tree” Licensed premises Simpasture Gate 1961 (Ward “B” Centre) No. 1 Forbuoy’s Ltd - Newspapers, sweets, tobacco etc No. 5 R. L. Coggins - Greengrocery & flowers- Sub post office No. 9 Mrs M. Furby - Ladies’ hairdressers (Note; Advert on p. 119 says M. Hutchinson, drapers) No. 10 Martin’s Bank Ltd – Branch office No. 11 Northern Dairies Ltd – Milk etc “The Iron Horse” Licensed premises Town Centre 1961 Beveridge Way No. 2 Midland Bank Ltd No. 4 Zip (French Cleaners) Ltd No. 6 Robson & Gray – Ladies’ wear, gowns, etc No. 8 Jacque - Ladies’ & gents’ hairdressers No. 10 Stytlo Ltd - Ladies’ & gents’ shoes No. 12 Brough’s Ltd - Grocery and provisions No. 14 Walter Thompson - Greengroceries, flowers etc No. 16 J. H. Dewhurst – Butchers No. 18 Meadow Dairy Ltd – Grocery and provisions No. 20 Carrick’s (Caterers) Ltd – Bread, cakes, etc No. 22 Timothy, White & Taylors Ltd – Hardware No. 24 E. Wilson Ltd. - Drapery No. 26 Finlay & Co – Cigarettes, tobacco, etc No. 28 Freeman, Hardy & Willis Ltd – Boots & shoes No. 30 F. W. Woolworth Ltd – Department store No. 32/34 Moore’s Stores Ltd – Grocery and provisions No. 36 Relay Exchanges Ltd - Radio & T.V., sales & hire No. 36 Coombes Ltd - Shoe repairs No. 38 James Smith Ltd – Dry cleaning No. 40 A. Saum - Optician No. 42 E. Miller - Chemist No. 44 A. Hector Grabham Ltd – Wallpaper, paints etc No. 46 North Eastern Electricity Board – Showroom No. 48 Chas. E. Brown - Butcher No. 50 Sparks Ltd - Bread, cakes etc No. 52 Northern Gas Board – Showroom No. 54 Mason’s - Greengrocery & flowers etc No. 64 H. & G. Batchelor - Grocery & provisions No. 66 J. H. Harding & Co - Toys, fancy goods, hardware, etc
No. 70 R. Bousfield - Wet & fried fish No. 72 Walter Willson Ltd - Grocery & provisions No. 74 Savoy Bakery Ltd – Bread, cakes etc No. 76 R. Pocklington - Cycles & Sporting goods No. 78 Cofficana - Coffee bar No. 80 H. Cox - Ladies’ & Gent’s hairdressing The following list is for the S. East side of town centre which was not developed in 1959) No. 47 Barclay’s Bank Ltd No. 45 West Farm Products – Butchers No. 43 Stevens – Newspapers, cigarettes, tobacco, fancy goods No. 41 Orry (Tailors) Ltd – Ladies’ & Gents’ outfitting No. 39 E. A. Rea - Vienna restaurant (Italcibo’s – advert) No. 37 Handicrafts - Arts & crafts No. 35 D. W. McMahon - Greengrocery & flowers etc No. 33 C. A. Beere Ltd - Pet food & delicatessen No. 31 Surplus Ltd - Clothing & camping equipment No. 29 North Tyne Paints Ltd - Wallpaper & paints No. 25/27 Wenton Home Furnishing Ltd - Furniture, Radio, T.V., etc No. 43 White Bros (Darlington) - Motor cycles, scooters & accessories (Note; Advert on p. 20 says Hocking & Peacock) No. 41 T. Relton & Son Ltd - Wines, spirits & beers No. 39 W. Duncan Ltd - Grocery & provisions No. 37 Forbuoy’s Ltd - Newspapers, sweets, tobacco etc Service Industry. Greenwell Road No. 1 W. Beadle - Roofing specialist No. 5 Gus Carter Ltd - Licensed betting office No. 7 R. Pocklington - Cycle repairs No. 9 White Bros Ltd - Motor cycles, scooters & accessories No. 11/13 Wenton Home Furnishing Ltd – Second hand furniture No. 15/17 Speight & Cottingham – Milk retailers Other services listed in the 1961 Handbook Laundry - Aycliffe Laundry Ltd & Spruce the Cleaners Aycliffe Trading Estate (advert) Harold Taylor - Garage & service station, car purchase & repairs. Newton Aycliffe Service Station & Central Service Station (advert) Working Men’s Club & Institute Ltd. Sheraton Road RAFA Canopus Club Barrington Road
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