Demolition of Brookfields shop, Greengate Street, Stafford

Description:A part view of the rear of Brookfields mens and boys clothiers and complete outfitters which stood at 51 and 52 Greengate Street and on the corner of St, Mary’s Passage. This picture was taken shortly before demolition of the building.

On the left and just out of shot of the camera is St. Mary’s Church, also on the left there is a Brookfields shop sign which has been taken off the building. In the centre the large sign still attached to the shop advertises Aquascutum and Burberry menswear and below is the ‘Bon Bon’ sweetshop and tobacconists shop.

In 1743 George Boulton, a draper, opened a shop on Market Square. By the 1860s the shop was known as Brookfield and Windows. By the early 1900s Brookfield's had also opened a furniture and removal business in Gaolgate Street, a gentlemen's outfitters in Greengate Street, an ironmongery, cabinet-makers and funeral directors. Brookfield's closed in 1909 and a group of managers formed Brookfield (Successors) Ltd. They continued to trade from the shop which stood on the corner of St. Mary's Passage.

In 1965 Bratt & Dyke bought Brookfields Greengate Street shop. The company built a new shop here before closing in 1973. This building was briefly Court’s furnishers and is now (2025) a branch of MacDonald’s.