Another mystery which we would love some assistance in solving! This photograph came to the Archive with a request for any information; is Red Lion Place in Redcar? There is a Red Lion Street, which links to Lord Street and was opposite a linking street to the High Street, so named by the Red Lion Hotel which was on the other end corner to the High Street; perhaps this shop was close by? Who is the young lady in the shop doorway and does anybody have an idea as to the date? Peter Sotheran suggests: ” Red Lion Place – was this at the southern end of Red Lion Street on land that is now a turning point for vehicles and close the the railway line?” Colin Brown has assisted with: “The Woman at door is Mrs Tompkins, it was her Sweet Shop.” Joe Doe assists with: “When I lived at Railway Terrace off Regent Street, where the telephone exchange is now was Wardman’s Dairy.”
Image courtesy of Lynsey Peart, thanks to Peter Sotheran, Colin Brown and Joe Doe for the updates.
Red Lion Place – was this at the southern end of Red Lion Street on land that is now a turning point for vehicles and close the the railway line?
The Red Lion pub in Redcar was rather larger than just the pub, there was a yard behind it with gates onto Lord Street. Beside this yard was a ballroom which in the early 1960s was converted into a Disco with UV lights which had the odd effect of making the beer fluoresce green, making it look like engine oil. Directly over Lord Street was a set of stables where horses could be hired. Beside this stable where the Telephone Exchange now resides was an open bit of land that dust carts used to arrive with cardboard that had to be gathered and compressed into bales. Occasionally two tar-sprayers would be parked there overnight. these were coal-fired steam-driven beasts and, like Redcar’s steam roller at the time had to be “lit-up”. As a little lad I remember walking along Lord Street to go to my Grandmother’s when a large tweedy florid man in Jodhpurs summoned me over and told me to stand in the office and listen for the phone to ring whilst he dealt with even more urgent business. It didn’t ring which was fortunate as I hadn’t been told what to do if it did. The florid man returned, I reported no phone ringing and went about my business probably to go shopping with my Grandmother. The shops in Redcar at that date, mid to late ’40s is a tale for another day.
The shop in question, however, doesn’t ring any bells.
According to Postcard for sale on Ebay 10-12-20. The Woman at Door is Mrs Tompkins, it was her Sweet Shop.
Have you got any old photos of red lion stables ! I used to go riding there probably about 1972 ish . Cheers
When I lived at Railway Terrace off Regent Street, where the telephone exchange is now was Wardman’s Dairy.