Station Road, Hadfield - Then and Now

Station Road, Hadfield - Then and Now.

This article was written in 2001 and originally published in the September 2001 issue of the Derbyshire FHS journal (reproduced here by permission of DFHS).

When I was growing up in Hadfield in the 1950s and 1960s, Station Road was - as it still is - the main shopping street in the village. During the summer of 2000 I was transcribing details from trade directories. My purpose was to create a searchable database on our web site of entries for the Ancient Parish of Glossop. Whilst I was using the 1926/7 Trades' Directory the thought struck me that, although there were many more businesses in Station Road at that time than now, how few of the names were familiar to me. In fact, apart from the two pubs in the street there is only one business still going that was there 75 years ago. I decided to take a walk down Station Road to see just how much things had changed since the 1920s and, as I also had access to extracts from Kelly's Directory of 1908 printed on the Godfrey Edition of the 1907 Hadfield OS map, since the early years of the 20th century.

Our walk starts at a place familiar to anyone who has watched the TV programme "The League of Gentlemen" as the top end of Station Road is shown at the opening of each episode. These days the block of properties between the Cenotaph and Salisbury Street is all dwellings apart from "Today's Supermarket" at number 152. That building wasn't even listed in 1908 but by 1926 W. P. Sidebottom had his Bakery there. In 1908 we would have found William Walsh's Grocery business at number 154 with Alan Hinchliffe the Greengrocer at 150 and Miss Jessie Wishart's Drapery at 148. Numbers 146 and 144 were occupied by two men in direct competition - Arthur Ashton and Joseph Fidler were both Ironmongers. Samuel Hodges was a Tripe Dresser at number 142 but it appears that numbers 140, 138 and 136 have probably always been dwellings as they have no businesses listed at them.

At the corner of Salisbury Street, number 134 (together with 1 Salisbury Street) was occupied by John W. Webb, a Hairdresser. The door to this property used to be on the corner but has been closed up in recent years and the entrance is now on Salisbury Street. Apart from number 152, only two of these properties are listed in 1926. Number 142 was occupied by E. Andrew, a Fish & Chip Potato Dealer, whilst J. W. Webb was still cutting hair at number 134. This latter building - well, the upper floor at least - was still used as a Hairdresser's when I was a lad. My Mum went there regularly to have her hair done by Olive Mackay.

Crossing Salisbury Street we come to number 132 which is now merged with 130 as Sylvia Dutton's Florist shop. It is mentioned in neither of the directories but I remember it as Hadfield's only bank around 40 years ago. The 1908 directory lists a branch of the Manchester & County Bank without a number. Perhaps it was here. Number 130 was occupied in 1908 by Alfred Edward Derbyshire, a Decorator and in 1926 by Meadow Dairy Co, Butter Factors. The 1926 directory also lists another Butter Factor - Hadfield Dairy Co - but gives no indication of which building it occupied. Moving on to number 128 we find that is has changed from William Meredith's Bakery & Confectionery in 1908 to W. Fidler's Ladies & Gents Outfitters in 1926 and is now Bronzers Tanning Studio. I wonder what our forebears would have thought of people going to a shop for an all-over tan!! Albert Jakeman was a newsagent at number 126 in both 1908 and 1926. I remember buying papers from there myself, first from Mr Crowshaw and then from Roger Wilkinson who bought the shop in the 1960s. Roger extended the shop into number 124 (Albert Bowden & Co, Drapers in 1908 and 1926) before it was taken over by the Forbuoys chain which runs the shop to this day. Samuel Challoner was shown as a Grocer at number 122 in 1908 and a Grocer and Tea Dealer at number 120 in 1926. Perhaps the two buildings had been converted into one prior to that - they are certainly one now, being the site of the Post Office. J. K. Milne, Chemist, converted numbers 118 and 116 into a single shop about 30 years ago and the company still occupies them now. If memory serves, Milne's started out in number 118 which was J. Hodson's Herbalist shop in 1926 (run for the same purpose in the 1930s by Thomas & Mary Fielding), having been Edward Clayton's Drapery in 1908. Number 116 was a Bakery in both directories, being run by Edward Hoylands (also described as a confectioner) in 1908 and A. N. Ninnes in 1926.

Number 114 appears to have had multiple uses in days gone by. Kelly's Directory of 1908 has it occupied by James William Fernaly, a Printer trading as Jagger & Fernaly, and by Edward Clayton, Butcher, and John Swire, Clogger. By 1926 the Clogging had finished - if that is the correct expression. The Trades Directory lists Fernaly and Glossop Printers Ltd plus the Butchery business in the name of Hamson's. Nowadays things are a lot simpler, the shop being the premises of Hadfield Bakery. Next door, number 112 is an empty shop. Perhaps that was also the case in 1908 and 1926 as neither directory lists it (see * at foot of page). In 1908, number 110 was occupied by a Builder named John Woodcock Storey but by 1908 it housed the Joinery and Undertaking business of W. Bamforth. Today it has been converted into a dwelling. Number 108 showed consistency through the early years of the 20th century, both directories listing it as the premises of Joseph Billinge, a Saddler. In 2001 it is a Greengrocer's shop. Number 106 shows even more consistency, being a Hairdressers in both 1908 and 1826 and the same today. The business names have changed, however, from James H. Senior to J. C. Woodward to "Whistles". Number 104 is another shop now converted to a dwelling. Kelly's 1908 directory lists two Millinery businesses there, Miss Sarah Ratcliffe and James Livesley & Co but by 1926 Mrs A. Watts was selling Sweets, Cigarettes etc. in the property. Thomas Bennett & Son, Drapers and Furniture Dealers, are listed as the occupants of 102, 100 and 98 in 1908 but of just 100, as a Draper, in 1926. In May 2001 numbers 102 and 100 contain the Village Cafe and next door, in a large detached building, is the Carmel Christian Centre.

Numbers 96 down to 88 are now all dwellings but were all previously businesses. In 1908 number 96, which was not listed in 1926, was where Michael Powers had his Provision Dealing business. Edwin Rothwell is listed as a Grocer at number 94 in 1908 and as a Grocer and Tea Dealer 18 years later. In between the two directories number 92 had changed from being where John Poyner was a Bootmaker to where W. J. Morrow sold Confectionery. Number 90 had gone somewhat the other way, being the Bakers & Confectioners premises of Misses Mary & Sarah Ellen Haigh in 1908 and Miss Warhurst's Millinery business in 1926. Number 88 is another not mentioned in the 1926 Trades Directory but Kelly's of 1908 lists it as the Grocery business of John Rhodes. Number 86 has been a Butcher's Shop all these years and - apart from the two pubs - is the only business with the same name as in one of the directories. George Woolley was the occupant in 1908 but by 1926 the business was that of J. W. Mettrick - and the business is still owned by his descendants to this day. Those who watch "The League of Gentlemen" will know this shop as that of the fictional Hilary Briss. Number 84 is now a dwelling but in 1926 was E. Hall's Hairdressing business. It is not listed in the 1908 directory. Number 82, on the corner of Kiln Lane, was empty when I took my walk but I remember it as Dowling's Greengrocers in the 1950s and 1960s. It was already a Greengrocers in 1926 when it was run by W. Hill. In 1908, however, it was occupied by Edward Ratcliffe, Stationer & Newsagent.

The Mason's Arms is on the opposite corner, being listed as occupying number 78 (and presumably number 80 as well) in both directories, the landlords being John Nelson and Joseph Brown respectively. Today it has been extended to include number 76, the premises of Mrs Richard Bennett, Milliner, in 1908 and Holden's Repair Shop, Watchmaker, in 1926. Number 74 is not listed in the 1926 Trades Directory but Samuel Nelson, Tailor, was there in 1908. In that year, number 72 apparently housed Mrs Mary A. Wright, Stationer & Postmistress, and Walter Ellis, Draper. In 1926 the occupant was J. Livesley & Co, Tailor, Clothier, Outfitter & Milliner. Today Gregson's Confectioners occupies both numbers 74 and 72. Number 70 was occupied by John William Webb, Umbrella Maker, in 1908 but was not listed in 1926. By way of contrast, number 68 was only listed in 1926, as the shop of E. A. Fountain, Draper. Both buildings are now dwellings. Number 66 wasn't listed in 1908 either. In 1926 it was occupied by J. Cooper, Butcher and is now the shop of Gordon Clegg, Domestic Appliance Repairer. The last two premises before Wesley Street, numbers 64 and 62, are now both dwellings but neither were listed in 1926 so maybe they had been converted from shops by then. In 1908 the occupants were both named Howarth. Miss Agnes Howarth was a Dress Maker at number 64 and George Frederick Howarth was an Undertaker & Furniture Dealer at number 62.

I remember the first business on the other side of Wesley Street, occupying numbers 60, 58, 56 and 54, as the Equitable Co-operative Society Ltd and it is listed as such in both directories. Kelly's tells us that in 1908 John William Pogson was Secretary and Charles Loxley was Treasurer. The 1926 Trades Directory lists the business as a Grocer and Tea Dealer but I'm sure they sold a much wider range of goods in the 1950s and 1960s. Today number 60 contains a closed down Wine shop and "Gina's Brekkie Bar", number 58 is also two shops - both empty - whilst number 56 is a Tattooist and number 54 is the "Kids Millennium Club". The 1908 directory lists both Miss Ann Fielding and William Rutherford as Confectioners at number 52. In 1926 it was still a Confectioners, being run by the Misses Lawson. Now like numbers 50 and 48, neither of which were listed in the directories, it is a dwelling. Number 46 wasn't listed in the directories either and numbers 44 and 42 are missing from the 1926 directory. In 1908 both were occupied by John Richardson M.P.S, Chemist & Drug Stores. These latter three properties no longer survive, being the site of a car park just before we arrive at Albert Street.

On the other side of Albert Street, number 40 was occupied in 1908 by William Brooks, Hairdresser, but the 1926 directory has it listed as F. Cartwright, Wireless. Today it has reverted, being occupied, together with number 38 (which is listed in neither directory), by Denair Hairdressers. In 1908, Mrs Mary Cocks, a Nurse, was at number 36. The property is not listed in the 1926 directory and is now a dwelling. Number 34 is another property which apparently had multiple occupants in 1908, both George Greenwood, Fried Fish Dealer, and Mrs Emma Taylor, Shopkeeper, being listed there. In 1926 it was a Confectionery run by Miss Nelson. Mrs Selina Patchett was a Butcher at number 32 in 1908. She had inherited the business from her husband Henry who, prior to being a butcher, was a Brickmaker at the same address. By 1926, Henry & Selina's son Tom had taken over the Butchery business. These latter two properties are now both dwellings. It would appear that the rest of the properties on the even numbered side of the road have always been dwellings with one exception. The only one of them mentioned in either directory is number 2 on the corner of Bank Street which, in 1926, was the Butchery business of Hadfield Meat Stores.

Crossing the road we find that number 1 is - as I remember from my youth - a Fish & Chip shop. It isn't mentioned in either directory but Kelly's 1908 lists both Thomas A. Bentley, Butcher, and Joseph Shufflebottom, Clogger, at number 1a. The rest of the properties in this block up to the junction of Jones Street are now dwellings but they all formerly housed businesses. Jonathan Kershaw, Butcher, occupied number 3 in 1908 and is also listed there in the 1926/7 Trades directory but also listed by the latter is Wyatt's, Confectioner. In 1908 number 5 was the Grocery of James Crowther but had changed to T. Hall's Watchmaking business by 1926. Not quite such a change of style had happened to number 7. From being William Cannon's Bakery in 1908 it had become Miss Moore's Confectionery by 1926. Numbers 9 to 13 retained consistency in the early years of the 20th century. Both directories list Samuel Woodhouse Chadwick, Ironmonger at number 9 and William A. Martin at numbers 11 and 13 - though as a Draper in 1908 and a Milliner in 1926.

On the other side of Jones Street 1908 saw number 15 as the Chemist's shop of the luxuriously named Tibertius Bertram Townley, next door to George Harry Garner's Bakery at number 17. By 1926 these two properties were occupied by F. Rogers, Fruiterer & Greengrocer and Mrs E. Sutcliffe, General Dealer. Neither of numbers 19 and 21 are mentioned by the 1926 directory but in 1908 they were the premises of John Murphy, Shopkeeper, and Samuel Torkington, Fried Fish Dealer & Fishmonger. Samuel also had another shop further up the road at number 69. In 1926 number 23 saw J. Wildgoose combining the diverse businesses of Confectioner & Hardware Dealer, having been where Charles W. R. North was in business as a Provision Dealer 18 years earlier. We find another luxurious name at number 25 in 1908 where Frederick Bismark Fisher was a Painter & Decorator. By 1926 it was somewhat different, as Sykes Shaving Saloon, Hairdresser. Number 27 was another consistent shop. Wright Ellis was a Confectioner there in 1908 and it was a Confectionery & Bakery trading as Robinson's Bakery in 1926. Situated on the corner of Albert Street, number 29 was the premises of Hugh Harrop, Tailor in 1908. In 1926 J. Maycock was a Plumber & Glazier there. Today it is the only shop on the block, PCF Electrical, all the others having been converted into dwellings - in the case of number 23 into three dwellings numbered 23, 23a and 23b.

On the other side of Albert Street, number 31 was occupied in 1908 by Thomas Hall, Watchmaker, possibly the occupant of number 5 in 1926. The shop isn't listed by the 1926 directory but is now the premises of Country Sport Countrywear. Number 33, in 1908, was the Greengrocers of Francis Taylor, taken over by 1926 by W. Bush who was also described as a Fruiterer. Mrs Elizabeth Hinchcliffe was a Shopkeeper at number 35 in 1908, both A. Oldham, Confectioner, and Bentham's, Fancy Goods Dealer, being listed there in 1926. Both these properties are now dwellings. Number 37 isn't mentioned in either directory but is now Hadfield Dental Practice. Hunters The Tea Men, Grocers, are listed at number 39 in 1908 and 39a (as Hunter's Tea Stores, Grocer & Tea Dealer) in 1926, number 39 being E. Ellis, Tripe Dresser, at the latter date. Number 39 is now Wedding Belles Bridal shop. Number 41 is now an empty pet shop but in 1908 was occupied by Alonzo Robinson, Beer Retailer, and in 1926 by Bagshaw's Tobacco Stores. Alonzo's neighbour at number 43 in 1908 was Abraham Earnshaw, Butcher, but the shop is not listed in the 1926 directory and is now a dwelling. Merrick TV Repairs, Sales & Service now occupy number 45 where Richard Herbert was a Furniture Broker in 1908 and Miss Hulme was a Milliner in 1926. Tom Bentham occupied number 47, being described as a Stationer in 1908 and a Newsagent in 1926. His neighbours in 1908 were Matthew Woodcock, Boot & Shoe Maker, at number 49 and William Hampshire, Ironmonger, at number 51. We used to buy papers from Mr Morris in the 1950s and I think that would have been number 47. The properties have been combined in recent years though and numbers 47, 49 and 51 are occupied by M. Foley, trading as Bankswood Builder, who has converted number 47 into a dwelling. There is also now a number 51a, occupied by Sunny's Cafe. William Mansell was described as a Shopkeeper at number 53 in 1908 and as a Confectioner in the same shop - now a dwelling - 18 years later. Number 55, on the corner of Osborne Place, was occupied by Richard Dearnley, Draper, in 1908. It isn't mentioned in the 1926 directory but I'm pretty certain that I remember one of the first legal Betting Shops opening there in the early 1960s - a status which it enjoys today.

All the properties between Osborne Place and Lambgates are now dwellings, with the exception of number 63, the only wooden building in a street of stone properties, which is the Village Barber Shop. Numbers 57 to 63, 67 and 71 are mentioned in neither directory so perhaps they have always been dwellings. In 1908, number 65 was occupied by Edwin Butterfield, Artificial Teeth Maker but it is not mentioned in 1926. We have already seen that, in 1908, number 69 was Samuel Torkington's second shop. In 1926 it was still in the same trade, being the premises of Central Restaurant, Fish & Chip Potato Dealer. The 1926 Trades Directory has an un-numbered entry for Wilde & Bennett, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, but as numbers 73 and 75 were occupied in 1908 by John Wilde, Blacksmith, and as I remember the business occupying these properties, at the junction with Lambgates, in my youth, then I'm sure they must have been there in 1926. St Andrew's Church procession in Station Road, c 1900

I remember number 77, across Lambgates, as Pownalls Shoe & Sports shop where we used to buy bladders for our footballs - proper casies with leather laces so you really knew when you had headed the ball. It isn't mentioned in Kelly's 1908 Directory but in 1936 W. Rogers, a Tailor, Clothier and Outfitter was there. Today it is The Dressmaker by Ted & Elsie. Number 79, the shop now occupied by B's Crafts, used to be a Greengrocers. It was the premises of John Woodrow in 1908 and J. R. Moss in 1926. Both directories show William Dawson at number 85, as a Plumber & Painter in 1908 and (as W. Dawson & Co) a Plumber & Glazier in 1926. The shop is now a Mini-market. When I was a lad numbers 87 and 89 (now The Gables Hotel) was where Dr Curtis had his surgery. Neither was mentioned in 1926 but in 1908 Peter Johnson was a Herbalist at number 87 and John James Roberts was a Pianoforte Dealer at number 89. Kelly's Directory of 1908 lists Percy Edward Ireland B.A, Solicitor; Manchester & Liverpool District Banking Co Limited and H. Etchells, Grocer, at number 91. Perhaps the latter is a misprint as the 1926 directory has number 93, not mentioned in 1908, as Etchells Wholesale Grocer & Tea Dealer. The 1926 directory has A. V. Thomas, Musical Instrument Dealer, at number 91 and also lists "A. Thomas, Wireless" without a number which was possibly the same person. Number 91 and 91a are now dwellings. Like number 93, number 95 was not listed in 1908. In 1926 it was Broadbent's Bakery. Today the Rajni Indian Takeaway occupies both 93 and 95. Samuel Shaw Woodhouse is listed at both 97, as a Butcher, and 99, as a Confectioner, in 1908. Eighteen years later he was still there but the shop descriptions had switched round. Today number 97 is occupied by Sweeten's Laundry & Dry Cleaning and number 99 is the Methodist Church. Squire Livesley is listed as a Draper at number 101 in both 1908 and 1926, the shop being empty now. Number 103, by the entrance to the car park is now a dwelling. William Greaves used to be there, as a Baker in 1908 and a Confectioner in 1926. The 1908 directory also lists Henry Newton as a Shopkeeper at 103a. He may have moved to number 105 by 1926, a General Dealer by the name of H. Newton being listed there. Also listed at 105 was E. M. Walker & Son, Draper, next door to W. Fidler, Draper (was this the same person who occupied number 128 across the road?). In 1908, both 105 and 107 had been occupied by Elliott Morton Walker, Draper. Number 105 is now Cafe Royston, named after the fictional village in The League of Gentlemen, whilst 107 is empty having latterly been the premises of Marple Estates and County Pianos.

In 1908 Ernest Batty, a Photographer, was at number 109, followed in 1926 by Mrs Edwards, Milliner. Today it is two dwellings (109 and 109a). Number 111 used to be a Grocers, being occupied by Thomas Braddock in 1908 and C. Sanders in 1926, but is now Brigadoon Clothes Shop. Albert Brooks, a Greengrocer, is listed in both directories at number 113. The shop is still a Greengrocers - Brenda's - today but is also the offices of Arthur Worsley, Funeral Director. The name of Arthur Worsley is found in both the 1908 and 1926 directories, at 40 Brosscroft, firstly as a Joiner and then as an Undertaker. The earlier Arthur was the grandfather of the present Arthur, the Brosscroft premises now being the Chapel of Rest. Number 115 was not mentioned in 1908 but in 1926 was Miss Parker's Confectionery. Henry Booth is named as a Butcher & Grocer at number 117 and as a Pork Butcher in 1926. As with number 115, numbers 119 and 123 were not mentioned in 1908 but the shop in between was occupied by James Booth, Clothier & Outfitter. In 1926 the three shops were Moscrop's, Watchmaker; J. Ratcliffe, Draper and M'Hale, Fruiterer & Greengrocer. Charles Willis was a Boot & Shoe Maker at number 125 in 1908. By 1926 the shop, still a Bootmaker's, was owned by H. Swire. When I was growing up in the village we used to buy our shoes from that shop, which was then run was run by Mr Swire's daughters, Mary and Annie. All the properties from 115 to 125 are now dwellings. In 1908, numbers 127 and 129 were Abel Taylor's Confectionery with William Pott, Tobacconist, next door at 131. The latter is not mentioned in 1926 but 127 had become James' Ideal Supper Bar, Fish & Chip Potato Dealer, whilst 129 was A. Trueman, Refreshment Rooms. The three shops have now been converted into Peak House Flats. Station Road

Station Road about 1927 We have now reached the end of our walk - The Palatine Hotel at number 133. In the directories it is called the Palatine & Railway Hotel with Samuel Slack the landlord in 1908 and Arthur Daniels in 1926. The Railway Tavern used to be next to The Palatine and it can be easily seen that the current pub is the result of combining two buildings.

Even though that is the end of the walk it is worth mentioning that just around the corner from the Palatine is the site of the former Hadfield Slipper Baths, an amenity many people no longer remember. They were closed in 1967 because the cost of running them was far in excess of the income from their use. The map shows the location, at the junction of Platt Street and Pingot Lane.
Location of Hadfield Slipper Baths

The 1908 directory also lists a James Bellfield, Cab Proprietor, at number 141 but this property must have been demolished. There are also a few businesses listed for Station Road with no numbers - William Thomas Chadwick, Clothier & Outfitter and Refuge Assurance Co Ltd in 1908 and M. Bellamy, Milliner; Hadfield Dairy Co, Butter Factor (see * at foot of page) and H. Wild, Butcher in 1926. Finding their locations will have to wait for another day.

* 112 Station Road thanks to Wendy & John Harrison for the following information.
We noticed an entry about 112 Station Road, being an empty shop and no-one knows what it was, but reading the article we have noticed that the picture of the Hadfield Dairy is indeed where we live. The shop front is exactly the same, and the windows are like no other on Station Road, and are still original. We used to run this shop as Peak Investements Insurance Brokers with an agency for the Derbyshire Building Society. We closed our doors in 1995 but still live on the premises. It would be nice to see it in print.

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Last updated: 12 January 2021