Gaolgate Street, Stafford

Description:On the extreme left on the corner of Crabbery Street and Gaolgate Street, is J Hepworth & Son, gentlemen's outfitters who moved into these premises in 1911. The company moved out in 1970 and later it became a jewellers shop. Next is a Burton Menswear shop which at the time of this photograph had recently relocated into this new building from further along the street. There is then a part view of Stafford and Stone Co-operative Society, which has a commemorative date stone of 1932 above the first floor windows. Next-door is Henry Cliffe's tea and coffee shop with a large poster advertising “Genuine Clearance Sale”, and on the right standing on Richardson's Corner at the junction of Gaolgate Street and Stafford Street, is Richardson's shop which sold glass, china and ironmongery, the shop closed in 1936 and was later replaced by several new shops. As part of a redevelopment of this area, all the new shops, including Burton’s and the Co-op., were set back several metres from the kerb-side so that Gaolgate Street became wider.

Stafford Street was originally called Jerningham's Row. The corner was later known as Richardson's Corner, after the ironmonger's shop which once occupied the building.

Photograph donated by Stafford Historical and Civic Society, who retain copyright ownership.