Vicar Lane

Helen is still one of favourite Old-Cov people thanks to the Vicar Lane discoveries at the start of this thread. However there has been some recent talk on one of the Coventry FB pages due to the posting of an advert for the opening of the original M&S store in Coventry on Smithford Street in 1929. I knew Peter Knight (Coventry Rebuilt) had referenced this (indeed it appears the ad came from his website), however I had not realised that this original store was built on what was 12, 13 & 13a Smithford Street - nor indeed where this actually was. I looked on Rob’s ace Library Pictures section and lo and behold, there is an image of this store - probably the one Peter used for his 'adaptation’. However after also referencing maps I now realise this was right next door to the side of Vicar Lane looking south and indeed Rob’s photo shows this! Helen, you can see the bridge over the lane to the left - it was there all along! Rob, hope you don't mind but have added an enlarged version to the server for all its extra-sized superb-ness! Edited by member, 20th Nov 2019 10:45 am

The Herbert (so (c) to them) just added this one to their Facebook page. Interesting to see so I have zoomed in a bit as you do not often get that section on the southeast side in as good a view. Helen, I was hoping to spot the entrance to Vicar Lane but it must have only been a small passageway.

Nice zoom Neil. See the tall chimney and if you look down from there there is a 2 storey building with 4 windows and a sign above the two left ones? That is the left side of Vicar Lane as you look at it. That was a big timber jettied building that is on the same corner as Troughton's sketch of Vicar Lane. Only by the time the photo was taken it has been modernised with brick cladding and a display front.

I've always found Smithford Street endlessly interesting, with ever something new to spot in any old photo. Like you, Neil, I also wondered where the entrance to Vicar Lane might be in a photo, and so I've zoomed into my own CDV version of that one above.... and I'm still not certain! But, could it possibly be just this side of the white sided building in the centre, below?

Rob, your one of the 'new' M&S store (which I think was only there for about 11 or so years - and would have replaced that white sided building) is a terrific capture as it’s taken from standing on Smithford Street - Vicar Lane on the very left hand edge.

Hi guys. The white jettied building was next door but one to Vicar Lane on the right hand side as you looked at it. On the corner was a brick fronted (probably timber underneath) 3 storey building. That and the jettied building (at least) must have been demolished to build the M&S. Which makes this picture Neil posted the side of the M&S on the left.

These posts are brill!

Would this be the top of M&S in the background?

Surely, YES!

Helen, using my zooming 'powers' with a better shot of that M&S image on the Archives