The 1960s was Coventry's heyday with the newly built Precinct and Broadgate teeming with shoppers on weekends. We had Owen Owen, Woolworths, British Home Stores, Marks and Spencer, Boots, Hogarths, C&A, The Co-Op, Dixons, City Arcade full of shops, Hepworths, Burtons, Colliers, Dorothy Perkins, Davies Sports, Swifts and Barnaby's toys, Beryl Houghton, Currys, Halfords, Dr. Scholls and many other clothing stores, shoe stores, music stores, opticians, travel agents and jewellers. You could buy anything in the city centre and it was clean and safe. They even had public toilets! It will never be the same again. I count myself lucky to have grown up in that time.
I worked in Davies Sports Shop after leaving school, do you remember the large chess pieces set out on the pavement outside and the display window? I must have spent hours setting them up! Born in the mid 60's, I have great memories of 70's & 80's Coventry. Weekdays it was the 22 bus ride to Broadgate, a walk down to Davies' to start work, to Woolies or the market for a lunchtime snack and then at the end of the day a walk back to the bus queue. Weekends would be into town again, to the Poster Place for a 2Tone badge for my Harrington jacket and hopefully enough money for a 45 or a bag of chips from the Quick Chic in The Burges. I loved the old Coventry with its precinct walkways, fountains and shops. Even though the factories were suffering and the future wasn't certain, there was a camaraderie, it seemed to me, with other Coventry people. Unfortunately the council gave Coventry its second blitz and destroyed what was essentially a great town centre. I left over 30 years ago.
We left for London in 1964, but Coventry holds all my fond childhood memories. I watched the Cathedral being built week by week as we attended services. First in a Crypt in the Old Cathedral, and then moving on to Worship in the undercroft of the new building. Sometimes we were allowed to sneak up the stairs to gaze, in amazement, at the rising shell of the New Cathedral. All of us were Christened by Provost Howard in that old Mediaeval Crypt, I am so proud that we had his Love and Affection as a family friend.
I worked in Davies Sports Shop after leaving school, do you remember the large chess pieces set out on the pavement outside and the display window? I must have spent hours setting them up! Born in the mid 60's, I have great memories of 70's & 80's Coventry. Weekdays it was the 22 bus ride to Broadgate, a walk down to Davies' to start work, to Woolies or the market for a lunchtime snack and then at the end of the day a walk back to the bus queue. Weekends would be into town again, to the Poster Place for a 2Tone badge for my Harrington jacket and hopefully enough money left for a 45 or a bag of chips from the Chic King in The Burges. I loved the old Coventry with its precinct walkways, fountains and shops. Even though the factories were suffering and the future wasn't certain, there was a camaraderie, it seemed to me, with other Coventry people. Unfortunately the council gave Coventry its second blitz and destroyed what was essentially a great town centre. I left over 30 years ago. p.s Best chips were from the Parson's Nose :)
The 1960s was Coventry's heyday with the newly built Precinct and Broadgate teeming with shoppers on weekends. We had Owen Owen, Woolworths, British Home Stores, Marks and Spencer, Boots, Hogarths, C&A, The Co-Op, Dixons, City Arcade full of shops, Hepworths, Burtons, Colliers, Dorothy Perkins, Davies Sports, Swifts and Barnaby's toys, Beryl Houghton, Currys, Halfords, Dr. Scholls and many other clothing stores, shoe stores, music stores, opticians, travel agents and jewellers. You could buy anything in the city centre and it was clean and safe. They even had public toilets! It will never be the same again. I count myself lucky to have grown up in that time.
I worked in Davies Sports Shop after leaving school, do you remember the large chess pieces set out on the pavement outside and the display window? I must have spent hours setting them up! Born in the mid 60's, I have great memories of 70's & 80's Coventry. Weekdays it was the 22 bus ride to Broadgate, a walk down to Davies' to start work, to Woolies or the market for a lunchtime snack and then at the end of the day a walk back to the bus queue. Weekends would be into town again, to the Poster Place for a 2Tone badge for my Harrington jacket and hopefully enough money for a 45 or a bag of chips from the Quick Chic in The Burges. I loved the old Coventry with its precinct walkways, fountains and shops. Even though the factories were suffering and the future wasn't certain, there was a camaraderie, it seemed to me, with other Coventry people. Unfortunately the council gave Coventry its second blitz and destroyed what was essentially a great town centre. I left over 30 years ago.
You sound like me11 👍
I think the council did more to destroy what was left of Coventry than the luftwaffe.
We left for London in 1964, but Coventry holds all my fond childhood memories.
I watched the Cathedral being built week by week as we attended services.
First in a Crypt in the Old Cathedral, and then moving on to Worship in the undercroft of the new building. Sometimes we were allowed to sneak up the stairs to gaze, in amazement, at the rising shell of the New Cathedral.
All of us were Christened by Provost Howard in that old Mediaeval Crypt, I am so proud that we had his Love and Affection as a family friend.
Those were the days my friend, we thought they would never end. Christ, but they did!
Absolutely superb. The city I grew up in
I worked in Davies Sports Shop after leaving school, do you remember the large chess pieces set out on the pavement outside and the display window? I must have spent hours setting them up! Born in the mid 60's, I have great memories of 70's & 80's Coventry. Weekdays it was the 22 bus ride to Broadgate, a walk down to Davies' to start work, to Woolies or the market for a lunchtime snack and then at the end of the day a walk back to the bus queue. Weekends would be into town again, to the Poster Place for a 2Tone badge for my Harrington jacket and hopefully enough money left for a 45 or a bag of chips from the Chic King in The Burges. I loved the old Coventry with its precinct walkways, fountains and shops. Even though the factories were suffering and the future wasn't certain, there was a camaraderie, it seemed to me, with other Coventry people. Unfortunately the council gave Coventry its second blitz and destroyed what was essentially a great town centre. I left over 30 years ago. p.s Best chips were from the Parson's Nose :)
These old Coventry videos are amazing dude. Thanks for uploading
More to come!
Lived in Kenilworth used to go every saturday to Cov ended up in Mr George’s then onto Chesford Grange
Awww! I worked at the Chesford and MOST of our 'after work hours' were spent in the Stables nightclub!! So many memories 😜
More old Cov 'Gold' - thanks again for sharing John.
Glad you enjoyed it
My home
Beautiful 👑
thata the Cov that I grew up in and loved. Not like it is now.
I was born in 1981 back then cov was better then now & now i left as i cov now 2 many beggers & trouble i happier now away from cov
Ruined now 😢