Warner Street, Accrington

[Atarah]

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!

[Balbus]

Agreed.

[JCB]

I thought Hopwoods was one shop with two entrances .

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by JCB

I thought Hopwoods was one shop with two entrances .

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.

[JCB]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

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.

I remember now when you mention the three steps .

[Bob Dobson]

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.

[Alan Gilmartin]

thanks for the photo retlaw, much appreciated.

[Atarah]

Originally Posted by Barrie Yates

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

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

[wallop79]

Originally Posted by garinda

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

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.

[Perran]

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!

[maxthecollie]

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

[Lancashire Stan]

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!

[Atarah]

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.

[joaner3]

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.

[Mog]

Originally Posted by joaner3

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.

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.