Bristol 1920s

Castle Street in Bristol 1920s

On Saturday nights it had a fairground atmosphere, with shops open until 10.00 p.m. and the street closed to traffic because of the number of people. Barrow boys added to the scene — they traded in Old Market during weekdays.

Many a bargain could be purchased at closing time, particularly at butcher shops, this being the time before freezers and refrigerators.

While Castle Street was narrow, it did not preclude large retailers (Woolworths, Co-op, British Homes Stores, Marks & Spencer and Boots all had premises in this thoroughfare) establishing themselves so successfully.

In the late 1930s John Lewis were trying to gain a site (on the Tower Hill corner), but such was the competition they did not succeed.

The street died on 24 November 1940, when the vast majority of shops were destroyed or so badly: damaged they had to be demolished.