St. Michael’s Square, Penkridge

Description:A postcard view of St. Michael's Square, looking north towards Stafford. To the right is Lees' bakery and beyond it can be seen the three gables of the White Hart public house on Stone Cross.

This scene shows how narrow the A449 was in the centre of Penkridge until a major roadworks scheme took place from around 1932-1934. Parts of the redevelopment included sections of dual-carriageway on the Stafford to Wolverhampton Road. With the increase in commercial traffic and greater use of motor cars this would improve traffic flow through Penkridge. However, it caused the demolition of many houses, the Crown Inn, the old George and Fox Inn and part of the Stone Cross area, including the buildings on the left in this view and the bakery on the right.

Early 19th century coachmen thought the Penkridge section on the London and Liverpool route was the most difficult due to the narrowness of the roads in the town centre.

This postcard was published by W H Smith and Son, Stafford.