Kathryn A Morrison
@kathrynmorrison.bsky.social
Architectural and Retail Historian (FSA FRHistS). ‘Chain Stores’ published May 2025.
Website: buildingourpast.com
Also expect posts about Romanesque sculpture (CRSBI fieldworker, Hampshire) and the Western Isles.
Website: buildingourpast.com
Also expect posts about Romanesque sculpture (CRSBI fieldworker, Hampshire) and the Western Isles.
Hurrah for modern businesses adopting old fascias!
Last time I was in #Stamford this gorgeous glazed terracotta wine & spirit merchant's shop (a branch of a Peterborough firm) was still covered by modern pub signage. Created in 1907.
Last time I was in #Stamford this gorgeous glazed terracotta wine & spirit merchant's shop (a branch of a Peterborough firm) was still covered by modern pub signage. Created in 1907.
January 13, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Hurrah for modern businesses adopting old fascias!
Last time I was in #Stamford this gorgeous glazed terracotta wine & spirit merchant's shop (a branch of a Peterborough firm) was still covered by modern pub signage. Created in 1907.
Last time I was in #Stamford this gorgeous glazed terracotta wine & spirit merchant's shop (a branch of a Peterborough firm) was still covered by modern pub signage. Created in 1907.
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
Calls grow to save Harold Gosney sculptures as Grimsby Car Park demolition begins
As demolition work begins on a 1960s car park in Grimsby, renewed calls are being made to preserve the public artwork embedded in the structure. The Abbey Walk car park is being knocked down after North East…
As demolition work begins on a 1960s car park in Grimsby, renewed calls are being made to preserve the public artwork embedded in the structure. The Abbey Walk car park is being knocked down after North East…
Calls grow to save Harold Gosney sculptures as Grimsby Car Park demolition begins
As demolition work begins on a 1960s car park in Grimsby, renewed calls are being made to preserve the public artwork embedded in the structure. The Abbey Walk car park is being knocked down after North East Lincolnshire Council said structural damage had made the building unsafe. The car park was closed in May 2024 after inspections revealed serious defects, including water ingress into structural supports.
sszeemedia.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Calls grow to save Harold Gosney sculptures as Grimsby Car Park demolition begins
As demolition work begins on a 1960s car park in Grimsby, renewed calls are being made to preserve the public artwork embedded in the structure. The Abbey Walk car park is being knocked down after North East…
As demolition work begins on a 1960s car park in Grimsby, renewed calls are being made to preserve the public artwork embedded in the structure. The Abbey Walk car park is being knocked down after North East…
Marking 10 years of buildingourpast.com - 100 posts focusing on historic shops and retail history.
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
January 3, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Marking 10 years of buildingourpast.com - 100 posts focusing on historic shops and retail history.
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
'Scotland's spending watchdog has told Historic Environment Scotland (HES) it must address "unacceptable weaknesses" in its governance in a strongly critical report.'
#HES #heritage #history
🗃️📚 #buildings
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#HES #heritage #history
🗃️📚 #buildings
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Troubled heritage body told to address 'unacceptable' governance
The auditor general has issued a strongly critical report on Historic Environment Scotland following a period of
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
'Scotland's spending watchdog has told Historic Environment Scotland (HES) it must address "unacceptable weaknesses" in its governance in a strongly critical report.'
#HES #heritage #history
🗃️📚 #buildings
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#HES #heritage #history
🗃️📚 #buildings
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It’s getting interesting!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
White House sued by historic preservation group over ballroom plans
The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues the White House failed to seek necessary reviews before demolishing the historic East Wing.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 6:58 PM
It’s getting interesting!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
The founder of the What Every Woman Wants department store has died aged 87.
Vera Weisfeld launched the women's fashion chain with her husband, Gerald, in Glasgow in 1971 before expanding across the UK.
📷 Newsquest
Vera Weisfeld launched the women's fashion chain with her husband, Gerald, in Glasgow in 1971 before expanding across the UK.
📷 Newsquest
December 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The founder of the What Every Woman Wants department store has died aged 87.
Vera Weisfeld launched the women's fashion chain with her husband, Gerald, in Glasgow in 1971 before expanding across the UK.
📷 Newsquest
Vera Weisfeld launched the women's fashion chain with her husband, Gerald, in Glasgow in 1971 before expanding across the UK.
📷 Newsquest
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
This shop frontage in Belmont, near Harrow needs a local listing. It's a precious example of 1930s style.
@c20society.bsky.social @londonmuseum.bsky.social @modinmetro.bsky.social
@c20society.bsky.social @londonmuseum.bsky.social @modinmetro.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 7:43 PM
This shop frontage in Belmont, near Harrow needs a local listing. It's a precious example of 1930s style.
@c20society.bsky.social @londonmuseum.bsky.social @modinmetro.bsky.social
@c20society.bsky.social @londonmuseum.bsky.social @modinmetro.bsky.social
Bedford take note!
The #Peterborough store (also a former M&S, snapped by me here in 2018) shows that B&M is capable of a more tasteful approach to signage when it wants!
October 18, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Bedford take note!
Bet not many of these #Cambridge students realised that Gardenia's shopfront was installed for Lennards (shoe shop) by Pollards in the late 1920s. A tad altered, but recognisable - hope it isn't now swept away!
October 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Bet not many of these #Cambridge students realised that Gardenia's shopfront was installed for Lennards (shoe shop) by Pollards in the late 1920s. A tad altered, but recognisable - hope it isn't now swept away!
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
Bit of Peckham Rye art deco. Former Holdron’s department store. Now a tremendous shop in its own right
October 4, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Bit of Peckham Rye art deco. Former Holdron’s department store. Now a tremendous shop in its own right
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
What do we do with our former department stores? Well, Age Concern Southend has one answer that seems to be working. Heard some lovely stories tonight of the impact The Haven has had (4000 visitors a month!) & the wider benefit it's had on the high street. Inspirational stuff. @archhfund.org.uk
October 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
What do we do with our former department stores? Well, Age Concern Southend has one answer that seems to be working. Heard some lovely stories tonight of the impact The Haven has had (4000 visitors a month!) & the wider benefit it's had on the high street. Inspirational stuff. @archhfund.org.uk
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
This week we are exploring the Electricity Showroom, which appeared in the nation's high streets in the 30s, often in an art deco or modernist finish and looking to sell new fangled electrical and gas appliances. Read more in Power to the People www.modernism-in-metroland.co.uk/blog/power-t...
September 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM
This week we are exploring the Electricity Showroom, which appeared in the nation's high streets in the 30s, often in an art deco or modernist finish and looking to sell new fangled electrical and gas appliances. Read more in Power to the People www.modernism-in-metroland.co.uk/blog/power-t...
Lovely historic shops in Grand Hotel Buildings, #Eastbourne.
September 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Lovely historic shops in Grand Hotel Buildings, #Eastbourne.
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
Dealbh-camara às an adhar de dh'Ospadal tùsail an Ràthaig Mhòir ann an Inbhir Nis. Cha robh anns an ospadal thùsail ach grunnan uàrdan air aon làr agus chaidh a' chiad euslainteach a thoirt a-steach air 5 An t-Sultain 1941
[neach-fiosrachaidh: Nurses League of Inverness Hospitals]
[neach-fiosrachaidh: Nurses League of Inverness Hospitals]
September 5, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Dealbh-camara às an adhar de dh'Ospadal tùsail an Ràthaig Mhòir ann an Inbhir Nis. Cha robh anns an ospadal thùsail ach grunnan uàrdan air aon làr agus chaidh a' chiad euslainteach a thoirt a-steach air 5 An t-Sultain 1941
[neach-fiosrachaidh: Nurses League of Inverness Hospitals]
[neach-fiosrachaidh: Nurses League of Inverness Hospitals]
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
The C & A store at the corner of Sauchiehall and Cambridge Streets is brand new in this 1929 photograph. Designed by North, Robin & Wilsdon, and built in 1928, the successor firm of North Partners did the design work for the 1950s alterations.
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#Glasgow
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#Glasgow
September 3, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The C & A store at the corner of Sauchiehall and Cambridge Streets is brand new in this 1929 photograph. Designed by North, Robin & Wilsdon, and built in 1928, the successor firm of North Partners did the design work for the 1950s alterations.
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#Glasgow
📷 Glasgow City Archives
#Glasgow
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
158-160 Argyle St, at Mitchell Lane, photographed in 1926. The fashion retailer Burton had been established in London in 1903, and by the time this was taken, had around 400 stores across the UK. Today you'd find slot machines rather than shirts at this location.
📷 City Archives
#Glasgow
📷 City Archives
#Glasgow
September 1, 2025 at 9:40 AM
158-160 Argyle St, at Mitchell Lane, photographed in 1926. The fashion retailer Burton had been established in London in 1903, and by the time this was taken, had around 400 stores across the UK. Today you'd find slot machines rather than shirts at this location.
📷 City Archives
#Glasgow
📷 City Archives
#Glasgow
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
New post this morning 27/8.
Review of @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social brilliant book Chain Stores in the Golden Age of the British High Street.
stirlingretail.com/2025/08/27/c...
Review of @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social brilliant book Chain Stores in the Golden Age of the British High Street.
stirlingretail.com/2025/08/27/c...
Chain Stores in the Golden Age of the British High Street
“In a nutshell, Chain Stores in the Golden Age of the British High Street explores how multiple retailing has shaped the experience of shopping and the appearance of streets, throughout the British…
stirlingretail.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
New post this morning 27/8.
Review of @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social brilliant book Chain Stores in the Golden Age of the British High Street.
stirlingretail.com/2025/08/27/c...
Review of @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social brilliant book Chain Stores in the Golden Age of the British High Street.
stirlingretail.com/2025/08/27/c...
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
Former Debenhams/Bon Marché store, Gloucester: the early 1960s part of the building very like the Festival Hall's original 1951 elevations, especially the small windows to the left which echo those which originally illuminated the RFH's side fire escape stairs.
Things you can do with a former Debenhams store. #Gloucester #refurbishment #repurpose #architecture #university
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📷 flic.kr/p/2pMdKcQ
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📷 flic.kr/p/2pMdKcQ
August 25, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Former Debenhams/Bon Marché store, Gloucester: the early 1960s part of the building very like the Festival Hall's original 1951 elevations, especially the small windows to the left which echo those which originally illuminated the RFH's side fire escape stairs.
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
Have you seen this @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social ?
Some #UrbanPrehistory for chain stores - The Lost Stones of ASDA…
Some #UrbanPrehistory for chain stores - The Lost Stones of ASDA…
One for @urbanprehistorian.bsky.social - I was reading this morning about the Asda 'Price Promise' stones that were erected across the country in the 90s
loststonesofasda.wordpress.com
Some are definitely on the way to being archaeological monuments, such as this one in Trumfleet, South Yorkshire
loststonesofasda.wordpress.com
Some are definitely on the way to being archaeological monuments, such as this one in Trumfleet, South Yorkshire
![A stone that looks like a prehistoric standing stone but inscribed with "Asda Price Promise Permanently [text obscured] prices [text obscured].
The stone is by a Drystone wall and vegetation grows around it](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7mzhk55756kcluyutorbqyex/bafkreicxukeks37aqp6tgtzj2hlbvjgtxc5syw4ptr6nnojxhazlrfwflq@jpeg)
August 20, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Have you seen this @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social ?
Some #UrbanPrehistory for chain stores - The Lost Stones of ASDA…
Some #UrbanPrehistory for chain stores - The Lost Stones of ASDA…
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
The corner of Kenneth Street and Church Street, #Stornoway, 1930s, with the staff of Bruce Brothers' Coal Merchants and the Ladies Hairdessing Saloon stainding outside their premises
[source: HLH Archives, D1751/2/1/18]
[source: HLH Archives, D1751/2/1/18]
August 18, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The corner of Kenneth Street and Church Street, #Stornoway, 1930s, with the staff of Bruce Brothers' Coal Merchants and the Ladies Hairdessing Saloon stainding outside their premises
[source: HLH Archives, D1751/2/1/18]
[source: HLH Archives, D1751/2/1/18]
Reposted by Kathryn A Morrison
Some nice #geometric #mosaic #tiles in the entrance to two small shops in Rhyl. @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social
August 16, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Some nice #geometric #mosaic #tiles in the entrance to two small shops in Rhyl. @kathrynmorrison.bsky.social
A long piece about 'Chain Stores' by Christopher Catling for the new edition of Current Archaeology - if you fancy a read!
the-past.com/feature/cath...
the-past.com/feature/cath...
‘Cathedrals of commerce’ : A guide through the Golden Age of the British High Street | The Past
In her new book about High Street heritage, Kathryn Morrison takes us on a trip down memory lane and reminds us that design quality was once a proud part of ...
the-past.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
A long piece about 'Chain Stores' by Christopher Catling for the new edition of Current Archaeology - if you fancy a read!
the-past.com/feature/cath...
the-past.com/feature/cath...