RE: Alleys & Passageways of Birmingham - 9

Morning Volty, people have been saying that for decades,it was a butchers shop originally, then a junk bric-a-brac shop, I've often wondered who owns them,and why they are still there.
I did a couple of sketches of the back of them years ago, I'll dig them out and post them.
The original entrance was stepped up both sides with a handrail.

G'day Signman,
I'm pretty sure I remember the so called bric-a-brac period.
I'll have to ask my mate if he remembers anything about the shop, his parents lived in some flats over on the other side of the building. I think he was born there.
VM

Here you are Volty, you can see how long ago it was,and it's still very much the same now.

John

Great Drawings,

This is the Bluebell or the Old Bell if you prefer that was a coaching inn that stood at the top of Bell Holloway not far from the buildings in question.

Phil

Another view of the top of Bell Lane, this one in 1903.

Phil

The last photo shows the two shops we are talking about, I wonder what F,Hewitt sold, shop on the right, maybe Mike can tell us.

John

I can't see Bell Lane listed at all in the 1903 Kelly's it was probably still Worcester then, but the 1912 edition lists a P Hewitt on Bell Lane but simply lists him as a shopkeeper. I would surmise from that it was a grocers shop.

Phil

In 1921 P.Hewitt is listed as a baker

Brilliant sketches Signman.
I was going to ask why they are entitled "Rear of The Bell" but Phil cleared that one up with his subsequent post.
The current view at the rear..http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=5...,116.2,,0,-2.47

My mate seems to think the shop in question once belonged to a gypsy who did fortune telling, he's going to ask his aunt what she remembers.
VM

this is crussel court that was off steelhouse lane...not sure of the extact spot..maybe not an alley as such but it look very daunting to me..just wondering if mike may be able to pinpoint the exact location....