Description:This view of Martin Street in Stafford shows shops, offices and restaurants some of which have changed use on several occasions.
On the left is the former John Mottram’s jewellers shop, this was later subdivided and one portion was occupied for a few years by a menswear shop. The part which faces Greengate Street became a Bonmarche women’s fashion shop, this was later a Greenwoods menswear shop, but currently (June 2022) the premises are empty.
In the centre St. Mary’s Church tower can be seen rising above premises which were once occupied by the Yorkshire Bank for many years; at the time of this photograph it was empty. On the centre right is Starbucks coffee lounge and on the extreme right ‘The Dog House’ at 4-5 Martin Street, this has had several occupants over the years including the Tandoori Mahal restaurant, Esprei and Satchmos.
In the 1950s, 4-5 Martin Street was used as part of the Area Health Offices which organised ‘Home Helps’, who were public servants covered by NUPE (National Union of Public Employees). Home Helps worked in the separate homes of the aged and people with disabilities on various domestic tasks which provided some social and health care. In later years Home Helps became known as Care Workers.
This photograph was taken by Mr Graham Jones of Stafford.