Warner Street, Accrington
 

Warner Street! What a "belting" little street this is. At the moment there are some really good shops, well worth a look.

Built c1821-22, was a new thoroughfare and referred to as "New Street" for a long time afterwards. Before it was built, there was no carriage-way from Abbey Street and the S.E. part of town, to St James Church, other than going down Grange Lane and Black Abbey. None of these were considered safe, i.e. for walking purposes. According to old tales, Mr Thomas Hargreaves called his foreman at Broad Oak together and put forward the idea of a new street. He offered to build two houses and suggested that they might like to consider building their own houses there also. Unfortunatley Mr Hargreaves did not live to see the scheme finished. The street was apparently built with the aid of a local Building Society. The roadway was maintained by the owners of the properties, and for a long time a toll of 3d was charged for vehicles using the street. At that time, it was said to be the best thoroughfare in the town, in fact it was the only street properly flagged and paved.

A very early resident of Warner Street was Joseph Broughton. He became the local clogger and many of his ancestors became important folk in this town. Broughtons bathrooms (who had large premises at the top of Church Street were all connected).
The Warner Arms pub at the bottom of the street was a popular drinking place (always known as The Warner's Arms, in the plural) until Matthew Brown's took it over c1990. Think their signwriters just got carried away and missed the "s" off.

Many established shops used to be in Warner Street. I can vaguely recall Key Joe's - Ashworth's Furniture shop (the couple who owned that retired around 1994. They started off selling second hand goods before expanding into new furniture). Then we had Hyde Bros. shop, which I easily remember -they sold envelopes, paper bags, string, etc. Taken over fairly recently but the new owners seem to have gone more into wedding balloons etc. although I believe they still sell paper and envelopes. Then there was the well known Wild's butchers, which also sold cooked meat and was a delicatessen, also known for his Black puddings.

We must all remember Bill Tattersalls Typewriter shop. This was of course well before the times of computers. He and his trusty engineer Les Allen must have dealt with most companies in Accrington. As soon as your typewriter broke down, or you needed new ribbons, you rang Tattersalls! Alas Bill passed away quite a few years ago and the shop has stood empty for years. Now refurbished by his son I believe, looks as though new trade about to move in. Then there was a smashing shop called Retro I think, selling clothing from the 40's and 50's. Nice shop, but alas, now gone.

Higher up we have the long established Porter Bros. (paints and wallpapers) - also on the top block Marsdens Leather Shop. Across from it The Glory Hole, a "natty" little shop, run by Bev and her hubby. She was a hairdresser in the same shop years many years ago.

Few random photos below

All in all, a street which must have a lot of history. Anyone here have any memories of the shops/shopkeepers?

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I always understood the stocks to have been on Cross Street, not, as stated on the plaque, in front of the Warner's Arms, where there wouldn't really have been room for them.
Additionally, I was told that the building which used to be the Borough Arms on Cross Street (now shops), had at one time been the police station.
As far as Warner Street is concerned, there also used to be Bodens' pie shop and cafe, Albert Bacigalupo's barbers shop, and at one time a dentist's operated by an ex-miner.
Babyland (toy shop) was on the corner of Warner Street and Abbey Street.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

They have a website, so you can see the businesses there now.

WARNER STREET ACCRINGTON WEB - the warner street website.

It is well worth a visit.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Sadly Contemporary Flowers are no longer at number 35, they closed last week.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

There was also an aquarist shop - Baldry's I think the name was. It was the only one in town and I spent a fair portion of my spending money in there - early '50s

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

love this site for all the local information. Accrington library printed me a wonderful photo of the bottom of warner st showing the warner's arms. In 1901 my ancestor had a draper's shop at no 3 - alice cavanagh.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Great photos Atarah, thanks

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Balbus said "As far as Warner Street is concerned, there also used to be Bodens' pie shop and cafe"

I THINK Bill Tattersalls took over Bodens pie shop premises.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

In the 1951 directory it is shown as The Warner Arms. Yes Atarah, a fascinating street.Thjere was a murder in it and a major fire.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

that musta been before he had the shop on corner of the little back then?:confused:

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Mrs Baldry's was a pet shop, (middle of the top block same side as Porters Paints) sold every thing for pets, including tropical fish, she had a minor bird in a cage in the shop, which could talk the back leg off a donkey. Her husband was an electrician.
Retlaw

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

The Borough Arms in Cross St, started its life as Dugdales Charity, built in 1843, it didn't become the Borough Arms until after 1896. Joseph Booth, one of the first Bobby's in Accrington, lived in that building long before it became a public house.

Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

[quote=Balbus;918608]I always understood the stocks to have been on Cross Street, not, as stated on the plaque, in front of the Warner's Arms, where there wouldn't really have been room for them.
The stocks were across the road from the Warner Arms, a bit to the left of the Pals Memorial.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

[B][quote=RetlawThe stocks were across the road from the Warner Arms, a bit to the left of the Pals Memorial[ [/B]

How do you know may I ask? :confused:

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Yep Bob I know about the murder of Christopher Hindle but ....... a fire doesnt ring any immediate bells?

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Well I never knew that. I always thought "there was a possibility" that Joseph Booth had lived in Warner Street. Never knew he had lived on Cross Street?

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

What I would like to know is why did the name get changed to Warner street from New Street and who did the warner name originally belong to? Must have been someone important enough for them to name a street or pub after!

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

The street at a later date took its name from the Lee-Warner family, the owners of the land

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

[QUOTE=Atarah;918710][B]Perhaps retlaw was in em?:D

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

[quote=Atarah;918710][b] Cheeky young pup, I've been collecting information on the history of Accrington, longer than you've been living. Seek and ye shall find, just as I did.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

[quote=Retlaw;918731]But I have "sought" and "found" and all I can come up with is the stocks were at the lower end of Warner Street!

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

This sign is another of the many mistakes on the supposed historical signage around Accrington, the Bay Horse Hotel, which used to be in Church St, New Accrington was a Coach House 200 years before the Warner Arms was built, and older than St james Church. The Landlord of the Bay Horse in 1660, was Edward Holmes. The other Coach House was the Black Bull, Bull Bridge, in Old Accrington.

Retlaw.


http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/a...ebyowdbert.jpg

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

[quote=Atarah;918739] I think your source should have read, facing the end of Warner St. By the time the Warner Arms was built on the corner of Warner St, and what was known as Mr Peels Rd, there was insufficient room for any thing to be directly in front of the Warner Arms.
Joe Booth had the key to the lock on the stocks.

Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Oh my goodness! HOLMES in Accrington since 1660! Oh deary deary me!:eek:

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Different branch.

Retlaw's descended from the Accrington family Ideal-Holmes..

:D

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Your for it Bu**er Lugs, just you wait.:D:D:D
Retlaw

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Go on.

I bet you laughed.

Mr. Ideal-Holmes sir.

:D

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I was on Warner Street yesterday and was thinking about Tattersalls office suplies, I can't remember seeing it so I can only imagine its no longer there, so I'll do a Bee anybody know when it shut:D

Warner Street, Accrington
 

Borrowed these notes of mine from a posting in March 2010, under the heading "Accrington's Little Italy".

And .... going back even further ...... around Warner Street area we had an Italian Ice Cream vendor! In 1889 Warner Street was classed as "the most demoralising place in the town". Mr. Louis Brown, the ice cream man, had premises in Warner Street, where he had an ice cream parlour. (not sure on this, but a possibility we are talking the bottom property of Warner Street/Cross Street)- where once Key Joe's, used to be, then it was lastly Red Rose Paints I believe. Two guys were charged with obstruction. They had been seen on the Sunday evening, drinking and dancing in the street, directly opposite the ice cream parlour! The Chief Constable said the house was a frequent resort of youths and young women on Sunday evenings, the boys for the most part being found smoking. On one Sunday there were seen to be 57 youths in the house - 45 lads and 12 lasses! Another day 30 in total. On another occasion, 99 lads and 5 lasses! Reports had been sent to the Watch Committee and the Chairman said it was necessary that members of the public should be aware of this "den of iniquity" and parents should take need of what was happening in the street. He said he regarded the house as the most demoralising place in the town. He did not think there was any beerhouse in the town that suffered this type of behaviour. This was in 1889! Things never change, eh!

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Any chance of getting a photo of the pals memorial.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Will this do. Bill Turner laying a wreath at the Church St Memorial.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Bowden's pie shop and cafe was higher up than Tattersalls as far as I can remember.

Was the shop just lower down than the Warner's called Hopwoods, sold fancy goods and lighting if I remember and it carried on round into Church Street.

There was the Catholic Club, upstairs next to Key Joes

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Also in Warner St was Whewells they took over Key Joe's place before they moved to Bridge St.
Wolstenholme's had a model shop, on the right hand side just a bit further up than Key Joe's. Mr Wolstenholme was a teacher at Hyndburn Rd, his 3 sons went into business, one was a Joiner, I think it was where Maundy Grange is now, the other moved the model shop to Whalley Rd, and the other son was Wolstenholme Funerals in Willows Lane.
Arthur Wild butcher, also had another shop up Stanley St.
The Post Office & the Labour Exchange were also accessed from Warner St.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

The Warner Arms was the last property in Warner St. Hopwood's moved to Little Blackburn Rd.
On the corner with Cross St, the Stuttard Bro's had a car repair place, one of the brothers served in WW1.
Davy St ran from Warner St, the Arcade is built on the exact line. Back duke St is still there, there was a French Polishers in one of those buildings on the right going down Duke St back.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

was wilds butchers up stanley st,the one that became slingers?

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Don't know who bought it after Arthur retired.
It was facing the end of Cambridge St, when you got to Stanley St.

Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

When I was at High School I had a friend named Glenys Bury who lived in a small house (not a shop) near the bottom end of Warner St.
I recall visiting her a few times there - it must have been circa 1953/4.

I dont recall the door number but feel reasonably sure that it was this property (it wasn't a gable end but on that side near the bottom)
Accrington BB5, United Kingdom - Google Maps

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

For those of you who are interested in Warner Street and what shops were on there and other streets around Accy, Church, Ossy & Baxenden, have a look at this:

Historical Directories

It's a piece from the Pigot directory of 1829. You also need to look at the next page on there.

As Retlaw will tell you, treat these directories with caution. Nevertheless, like my hacked list of telephone numbers, they can be useful little tools.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I can remember the Catholic Club JEFF the knights of stain colombo used to meet their

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Downstairs as well Jeff. Funny enough when the Catholic club shut down, I seem to remember one or two of the members found their way up to Bold St.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

nah it must not have been the shop i was meaning walter, slingers was on corner of Washington St, wi the stanley arms on opposite corner, wasn't aware of the one by Cambridge St, wonder when it vanished?:confused:

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

When Arthur retired from Warner St, I seem to remember the one in Stanley St, facing the end of Cambridge St, was still being used as a butchers for a while, haven't seen Arthur in years, must be around the 80 mark if he's still alive.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Always thought that Hopwoods had a window in Warner Street.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

They did, with a separate entrance on Warner Street at one time.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Yes, Hopwoods Toy store was on Church Street.......the Hopwoods Fancy goods store was round the corner on Warner St....with Greenwoods mens shop between the two shops.(unless my memory fails me)

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

and, if I remember correctly, there was a "secret passageway" between the two Hopwood shops, i.e. you could go the shop in Church Street, and walk through to the other shop and come out of the doorway in Warner Street! Magic!

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Agreed.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I thought Hopwoods was one shop with two entrances .

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I vaguely recall the passageway. I don't think it was secret. It was a doorsized opening with three steps up from Warner St side. Customers were allowed through it.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I remember now when you mention the three steps . :)

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Mr A Bury lived at 27 Warner St. The Warner Arms was 55.Hopwoods was 37 Church St, Greenwood's 35. When I was 21, my aunbts clubbed up and bought me a canteenm odf cutler ( I was about to ghet married) They had gone in each week putting something in towards it, as it had been put on one side. There probably were others shops selling canteens, but none with the reputation of Hopwwods.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

thanks for the photo retlaw, much appreciated.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Hi, here is an advert from the pet shop, its from a 1954 Accrington Observer.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I went past today & noticed a closed sign & thought it a bit odd, have they moved elsewhere do you know? This was a really good shop, my collegues & myself used this on many occassions, cant believe its closed.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Warner Street is almost 1 of a kind, there are very few places like it anywhere. It's almost a little village in its own right. Its always sad to see businesses fold but looking at the street the other day there arent many empty shops. Several new businesses have come in recently. The old guard like Marsdens and Porters are still there aswell im glad to see. Unfortunately i really don't think that Hyndburn Council appreciates what a gem it has in its hands. Along with Abbey St, The Arcade and Church Street the area has what is a fading memory in many towns, individual privately run shops. We need to support our local shopkeepers, we will miss them when they've gone and can't get what we want!

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Mary Baldry used to have a mynah bird in the shop and if you didn't know you could be asked when you entered the shop " Have you had a bath" and this would have you looking round to see who was speaking

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Pity Warner St can't be restored to its bow fronted elegance!
There used to be a picture of it like that in the Warner's arms, looked just like that one in the museum at York Straight out of Dickens!

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I really wish i could remember seeing such a photo you describe. I have seen quite a few of Warner St, but dont recall such a "romantic" picture. Here is one of an old postcard, but not showing the bow fronted charm you mention.
The shops on this street are lovely and well worth a visit, but I cant say that for the pub at the very bottom of the street.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I used to go for my lunch on Warner Street in a little cafe near the bottom end close to Church Street, the food was great and we always had the 'pudding' with lots of custard. That was in the 60's.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Was the Copper Kettle on Warner street on the right hand side looking up. I remember The Catholic club. It is where I had my first drink of beer. Might have been a half of mild. Not to sure it was the very early sixties.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

The Copper Kettle today is at the top end of Warner street just off Abbey Street on the RHS looking towards Abbey Street. May have been somewhere else in years gone by.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

The Copper Kettle has always been in the same place. The pie shop and cafe was Bodens'- next to Tattersalls' Typewriters.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I remember some of these shops very well, from the forties and fifties. The people who owned Hopwood's attended New Jerusalem Church and Sunday School, when I did. Their son Peter was a bit older than me. They once ran a children's competition, when you had to identify a slogan in the shop. They had to tell me what a slogan was, but I won a toy sewing machine. I also remember Baldry's, where we bought dog biscuits, and Key Joe's.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I used to live across the street from the Church Vestry in Hargreaves St. The most remembered shops in Warner St, seem to be Baldry's, Hopwoods, Key Joe's, the Copper Kettle, Tattersalls Typewriters, & Marsdens Leather Goods, they used to do boot & shoe repairs at one time.

Retlaw

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Used to buy my tropical fish from Mary Baldry

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I remember the houses in Hargreaves St. as we entered the Sunday School across from them. I think Mr. and Mrs. Sagar, who attended the church, lived on Hargreaves St. near there. Hope I'm not getting my streets mixed up here. Was Hargreaves St. the first street off Adelaide St. parallel to Abbey St?

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

That's right opposite the Masonic Hall

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Yep, and Jack Sagar was the caretaker for the Church & School, he lived at nu 7 Hargreaves St, I used to help him with odd jobs, it paid for my saturday trips to the Bug Hut, Flash Gordon, Tom Mix, Gene Autry, Zoro, and many more.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Thanks maxthecollie and Retlaw for corroborating my information about the location of Hargreaves Street. I remember Jack Sagar very well. His wife was the superintendent, if that's the right term, of the junior Sunday School when I used to go there.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

When I started work at Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance in 1959, the local office was divided into two parts and I worked in the part housed in the old sunday school on Hargreaves street. The office was eventually relocated to Melbourne House when it was built in 1965.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Thks. Mog, I've been trying to remember for ages where the catholic club used to be. I used to go there and I can remember quite a steep staircase. Now I'm trying to remember the names of some of the lads thatwent there. I can see them in my mind but I can't put a name to the face. It must have been about
63-63 and I was still at Paddock House ( so no drinkies for me!!!)

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

My memory must be fading I thought the cafe was where Tattersalls was we used to go in on a friday and have a plateful of potato pie(my mouth is watering.)When I was a child I went to Oak st Church & Sunday School can anyone tell me the date it was demolished,I,m sure Retlaw will know.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I went to Oak Street Church and Sunday School, I can't remember when it was demolished. I was in the Scouts there. The church move to smaller premises on Higher Antley Street junction with Major Street. Last I knew it was an Asian Store.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Tattersalls extended into what had been Bodens pie shop and cafe.
I think Oak Street Congregational Church was demolished about 1965/6.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Hi Max I didn,t know it moved to smaller premises.The only other family I can remember from the church days was Espley,s who had the chemists I think Ian was round about my age. :)

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Thanks for that Balbus my memory wasn,t that bad after all,I thought I had moved from Accy when the church was demolished and that was 64.:)

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Esply's Chemist was in little Blackburn Rd, couple of doors up from the Commercial.
Retlaw.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

The dates, and a picture of it part demolished, is on one of the threads on here, quite a few were demolished around the same period.
Abbey St Weleyans, Union St Wesleyans, Oak St Congies, & The Swedenborgs on Abbery St.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Espley's used to have a shop on the corner of Higher Antley Street and Ormerod Street

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I'm surprised that nobody has remembered Miss Carter's Sweet Shop in Warner Street, a single storey building opposite the arcade. She always wore a black shawl and slept in her rocking chair behind the counter. It was a tiny shop but well stocked. It backed onto the side of Stuttards Garage. Every morning she could be seen feeding the pigeons outside her shop.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

enjoyed the photos of Warner St. my great great grandfather and family lived at 34 Warner in 1891 census and at no. 35 in 1901. I live in Australia but will be over there next April so look forward to walking along Warner St. and taking some photos of the area. My gg grandfather died in 1905 at 1 Broughtons Yard, Accrington do you know where that is by any chance? Kathy

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

It was off Oak St -= left hand side going up after Bank St.and after another yard called James Court. Retlaw deposited his listing of all of Accrington's yards and courts in the library many years ago.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

going to be gathering a lot of research for this street ( Warner Street) we have just taken on number 9 .... opens in the new year Florist and Furniture shop.... back in the 1881 it was a beer house: also looking for old photo's of the area .... if any one can help :thanks in advance Magpie:

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Magpie - visit the library's Local Studies room. Best to see John Simpson. Their photos are filed in street order. You can buy copies. Using their directories, it should be easy to record the occupants over the years.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I loved Hopwoods shop in Warner Street. It was a fancy goods shop selling vases,china,handbags and all manner of other lovely things. I still have a couple of fine china teacups and saucers with a sugar basin and a small milk jug that I bought there for my mum's new 'Teasmaid' years ago. There does not seem to be many such shops anywhere now selling quality goods. Pity.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

been there Bob and got shed loads of information.... but would still like more:-) being greedy I am : thanks yes John is very good and he knows where to find things :;)

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

it was next door but one to key joes, lamberts grocery shop was in between

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

it was turned into a hairdressers when the butcher left

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Babyland on the top corner of Warner st and Abbey st. Used to have to put a penny into slot in the door casing and watch the model train go round.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Must have missed this on Atarahs post first time round. Thanks anyway
Mark

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Hello

Couple of questions about information shared on here:
a) is it ok to give names of deceased ancestors?
and b) Is it ok to save any photos shared on this site.

I'm looking for anything relating to my family history? My G-G Grandfather lived at number 6 Warner Street back in 1861.

Thank you

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Hello

Couple of questions about information shared on here:
a) is it ok to give names of deceased ancestors?
and b) Is it ok to save any photos shared on this site.

I'm looking for anything relating to my family history? My G-G Grandfather lived at number 6 Warner Street back in 1861.

Thank you

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Do you know the date on the postcard of Warner Street?

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

I remember going for Lunch on Warner Street on Fridays, it was a little cafe near the Arcade, the food was amazing but simple.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Hi Cheryl Anne what was your relatives name who lived in Warner Street.

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Hi Cheryl Ann, what was the name of your ancestor in Warner Street. Some characters lived on that street! :-)

Re: Warner Street, Accrington
 

Some years ago, I wrote a book entitled 'Concerning Clogs' I thought it was the first book on the subject apart from one written by another Accrington lad - Joseph Broughton. I used some adverts out of Joseph's pamphlet in my book.