Gone but not forgotten – shops of Blossom Street in York

FORSSELIUS, Prudential, Parker & Watson, and Thornton’s Antiques – just some of the businesses readers may remember from this part of York.

Long-lost shops and firms of Blossom Street over the years are being remembered in a new project.

Clements Hall Local History Group have been finding out more about the history of Blossom Street for their latest book.

Forsselius Garage in York in 1982 when it was put up for sale

They’ve been tracing the history of all the traders in the street through time, with some very familiar names, such as Forsselius. He installed the first automatic petrol pump in York in September 1921, with two petrol pumps and storage for 800 gallons. Across the street from the Odeon cinema was Shearsmith’s, mainly a motorcycle dealer, but they also sold toys at Christmas, especially Hornby trains, Dinky Toys, and Meccano construction kits.

Edwin Story near Micklegate Bar was a leading bookseller with a lending library.

Blossom Street and Micklegate Bar and Edwin Story shop – photo supplied

There were some well-known grocers before Sainsburys on the corner with the Crescent. Thompsons had an overhead device for sending money from the assistant to a central cashier booth, with wires and pulleys across the shop.

Recommended reading:

11 photos that show changing face of this key street in York

How York has changed since the 1950s – 10 fabulous old photos

How York has changed since the Swinging ’60s – 9 old photos

Do you remember Parker & Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street in the 1960s? How about Thornton’s antiques, and Almgill’s sweet shop?

Parker and Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street – photo from York Press

There was Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry next to the Bay Horse, from 1921 to 1959, and their son, who became Harry Dewar, was a famous teacher in York.

Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry was next to the Bay Horse from 1921 to 1959. This photo from Explore York dates from 1935

Prudential House, next to the cinema, was built in the 1960s, a base for The Man from the Pru’, eventually replaced by the Premier Inn, with another storey added.

Prudential House – next to the Odeon cinema around 1970 – Prudential PLC Archives

Local people have memories of the English Martyrs School and the Odeon cinema, can you add to these and tell the Group your stories about any of the old traders?

Please send them your memories and any old photos, either by email at clemhallhistory@gmail.com or leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086.