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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: Rubyroo on Tuesday 17 February 09 00:00 GMT (UK)
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I would love to pull together as much information as I can about Blackers, Mrs Blackler was my fathers Godmother and I would love to learn more about the Store itself.
So if you have any memories, stories and photos that you are willing to share I would be greatful.
Many thanks
Sam
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Hi
See these links
http://www.rootschat.com/links/05lk/
http://www.rootschat.com/links/05ln/
I loved Blacklers - particularly their basement. My mum used to take me to their grotto each year when I was a child. In it's hey day - it was packed with shoppers on Saturdays
It's now a Wetherspoons
http://www.rootschat.com/links/05lm/
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some info here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacklers
Suz
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And Mrs Blacklers bathroom on this website
http://www.culture24.org.uk/places+to+go/north+west/liverpool/art43916
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just put Youtube -Blacklers into a search engine
there is a little video showing many departments
Suz
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1901 census for Amberley St Toxteth Park
Richard J Blackler 29 b Liverpool hosier (employer)
Margaret E 27 b London Cannington
Ann Burgess 52 mother in law widow b London Cannington
RG13; Piece: 3437; Folio: 187; Page: 40
Per freebmd
Births March qtr 1871
Richard John Blackler West Derby 8b 345
Marriages September qtr 1895
Richard John Blackler to Margaret Ellen Burgess Toxteth Park 8b 410
Per Lancashire BMD - the marriage was at St James Toxteth Park
1871 census
Richard J Blackler 40 b Romsey Hampshire - drapers shopman
Mary A 29 b Somerset Clapton
Mary A 3 b Sheffield
Richard J 3 months b Liverpool
RG10; Piece: 3821; Folio: 53; Page: 37
Marriages June qtr 1866
Richard J BLACKLER to Mary A B Lane West Derby 8b 893
The children were with their grandmother Mary Smith in 1881
plus 2 more - Henry 8 and Walter 6
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Hi
when I was little, my mum took me to the grotto in Blacklers. It had a great big inflatable :-\ Father Christmas hanging over the esculators. I screamed, I was so terrified my mum hid me under her coat until we got inside the grotto :o I later came to love the store, and was very sad to see it close. ;D
Red :D
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Hi
There was a big wooden rocking horse by the lifts on the shoe floor, and the grotto was in the basement
fond memories
Olga
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Thank you everyone for your imput so far, what I am trying to do is put together a history of Blacklers so any information is greatly appreciated. Are there any ex Blacklers employees out there with stories to tell.... would love to hear them.
Thanks again :)
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Cant really add much to this post other than I have fond memories of Bkacklers myself as a child.
I do remember reading George Harrisons biography though
He said at one time he was an apprentice electrician at Blacklers
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seen something recently in a book i think no it may have been a website, stating it started as half a dozen shops in bold street which was historically the bond street of the north look at the daily post site might be something there, positive it was a website with liverpool pics lots of them broken into groups shops etc
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I remember taking my kids to the grotto, too.
When I first left school I bought my first pair of high heeled shoes at Blacklers - they were by far the cheapest department store in Liverpool at the time. The shoes were a metallic gunmetal colour, with stiletto heels and looooong pointed toes (which I filled with cotton wool) and cost 39/11d (just under £2). My mother thought they made me look like a woman of ill-repute (to put it politely) - I thought I looked fantastic!
Last time I went to Liverpool I noticed there was a pub where Blacklers used to be. I suppose people went more up-market in more affluent times - they wanted designer shops etc. Maybe in the new economic downturn we'll all start looking for the value-for-money and never mind the label sort of shops again.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfbZG4y4hQY everything you need to know
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I remember seeing Blacklers and Lewis's still on fire after being bombed. and remember both stores after the war when they were re-built, Messrs Blackler, Lewis and George Henry Lee would be spinning in their graves to see what has become of the stores.
Of course now no C & A (coats and ats) or Woolies, or Coopers (I loved going in Coopers) and of course Hendersons (I remember that tragedy when people were killed in a fire in that store.
http://www.poem800.com/liver.php?poem=573
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I'd forgotten about the Henderson's fire. It was a very posh shop. I remember if you bought a hat there they put it in a proper hat-box (allegedly - I never actually knew anyone who could afford Henderson's hats!). Blacklers was a much more friendly store for ordinary people - I always felt Hendersons and Bon Marche were for the 'toffs'.
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These are good site regarding the Blacklers store and other in the City.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/exhibitions/blackers/
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/expats/localhistory/2005/09/08/fond-memories-of-memories-working-at-blacklers-50061-15944817/#story_continue
http://www.sjsfiles.btinternet.co.uk/flm030612c.htm
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Yes Blackie wasn't the rocking horse called? then I believe it went to Alder Hey Hospital afterwards.
As a child I seem to remember that everything was stored in wooden chests of drawers, and the right size brought out of the correct drawer.
Was the children's department upstairs? I remember going for my Christmas coat and hat, double breasted woolen in blue with a matching bonnet.
And you just couldn't go anywhere else for your Easter bonnet.
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I had a Great Aunt that worked for Blacklers for most of her working life right up to retirement. Her name was Majorie Towler. she was born in Liverpool in 1917 and used to live in Wavetry.
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Gunmetal winkle pickers !! ..... those were all the rage lesleyhannah ..... to die for !! ;D
Back to topic ...... :)
Despite being destroyed in The Blitz of May 1941 during World War II, the business survived. Temporary outlets were created in Bold Street and Church Street and the first part of the new store opened on 29 March 1953 where it remained until its closure in April 1988. The site now includes a Wetherspoons chain pub, named Richard John Blackler in honour of the store's founder. Blackler died in 1919 and was succeeded as a partner in the business by his wife Margaret. She died in 1957 without children and so ended the store's connection with the family that gave it its name.
After the death of Margaret Blackler, the store in Elliot St became the property of individuals, of which the major shareholder was the sportswoman Vera Kingston. (Margaret's God-Daughter). In 1983 following her death the store was sold on once again, and all links to the original owners disappeared.
Annie :)
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After the death of Margaret Blackler, the store in Elliot St became the property of individuals, of which the major shareholder was the sportswoman Vera Kingston. (Margaret's God-Daughter). In 1983 following her death the store was sold on once again, and all links to the original owners disappeared.
This is almost right Annie, but Vera was actually adopted by Mrs Blackler as her daughter, the reason this was done was because Mrs Blacklers estate had to be left to a living relative and as she had no children of her own adoption was the only alternative. My father was actually Mrs Blacklers godson, my fathers mother was May Child who was Vera's sister (my great aunt)
Vera played Tennis for Lancashire and also Bandminton for England.
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I seem to remember a very large ( maybe 10 feet long) model of a parrot hanging on a ring suspended from the ceiling in the big stair well. Also a large - well I was only four- wooden rocking horse for kids to sit on.
When they re-opened after the war they once had father christmas and his grotto arriving while still in October.
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it wasnt far from Lime street and Liverpool Central stations. I remember going to the grotto there each year at Christmas time, it was like a big day out for me and my brothers as we used to live over the water in the wirral. It was fab!
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I have found these few bits on Blackie............
http://blog.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/BlackieTheRockingHorse.aspx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2004/12/09/cap_culture_blackie_rocking_feature.shtml
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2004/12/10/blackie-beauty-100252-14964703/
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/04/20/fun-for-the-fundraisers-100252-20828380/
I got my cummunion dress from Blackler's, went with my nan to get it, happy days lol xx
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Just a bit on Henderson's fire. I was in Byrom St. nautical school doing a ticket and from the window on the William Brown St side we could see across to the smoke rising. When it was first spotted and someone said " Henderson's is on fire" one of the lads shot out of his desk and jumped through the open window (it was a warm day) onto the grass and raced off there as his wife worked in Henderson's. I think she was OK. Alan
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My nana worked in Blacklers for years, before the war and after. She was very upset when she came to work and the place had been hit by some kind of incendiary. That's what sent her to the WAAFs - for revenge! She was 18, she faked id to join up young, the lads she worked with in the clothing area clubbed together to get a photo of her they could keep. I think it was taken in store - I'll post it later.
I remember it years later 1970s when I was a hyperactive 5 year old ecstatic at having a free rein over the bargain table in the basement. That basement was hallowed ground for me. Stationary, toys galore. But the bargain table was the best bit choosing from a cornucopia of things - just little things. I adopted about 15 men on parachutes, all met a sad end >:( the whole regiment chewed by the dog at some point.
A decade later I bought my first leg warmers. Banned as school attire. But I'm a rebel and Blackers supported my endeavour. Ground floor Clayton Sq side, loads of leg warmers.
I genuinely got upset when I returned to Liverpool following University and saw a Wetherspoons. This was not right, the world order was wrong.
So I thank your ancestors for my happy memories ;D
Pam
:)
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Wow -= what a lot of memories your postings brought flooding back to this exiled scouser. My fondest memories were of Bunnies, Hobbies, near Clayton Square, Paddy's Market and Reece's top floor restaurant,
Thanks all of you
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It is nice to know that Blacklers brings back so many fond memories even though the store was sold on some 27 years ago.
I am Vera's Grandson and enjoyed visiting the stores very much during my childhood.
I visited Elliot Street last year having moved back to the area and was interested to see that the Wetherspoons Pub now located where the main store was has a Lunchtime "Blacklers" menu, whether coincidence or not I do not know, but was nice to see.
I also note that "Blackie" still made the Daily Mail newspaper last year.... that was a shock!
Apart from the rocking horse which lives on there is another "rock" claim to fame for Blacklers, I was always told that the Beatles George Harrison had worked at Blacklers in Elliot Street for a short period of time and was somewhat of a rebel quite often being late for work!
Somewhere there also exists a letter the Queen's equiry thanking The Blacklers for lending their limousines for the royal visit to Liverpool after the WW2 blitz which effectively brought the retailing dynasty to its knees.
Where does the time go??
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I am Vera's Grandson and enjoyed visiting the stores very much during my childhood.
Hello Opsman
Does this make you my fathers great Nephew?
Sam
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My father was actually Mrs Blacklers godson, my fathers mother was May Child who was Vera's sister (my great aunt)
Yes.... May Child was my great aunt. Making you and I of the same blood line although fairly loosely related!
Small world....
Attached are pictures of my Grandfather (Veras husband) and his brother.
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My wife worked in Blacklers in the late 1960`s in the Shoe Department....I`ve just found out...lol...I asked her about her mate Karen who I knew worked there...didn`t know my wife did....allan ::)
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Hi Sam & Everyone!! :D
I was so happy today when I found this topic as I was doing some more research for my family tree which I have been researching for about 3 yrs or more.
Hubert Duffy was my great grandfather who built the original " Blackie" for the "Blacklers Store" He emigrated from Ireland with his parents circa 1870 and his trade was a rocking horse and toy maker.
Sadly I don't have any photos of him or of the original "Blackie" as I have tried in vain to find some.If you wish to know anything more about my great grandfather and his life I will be happy to let you know what I have learnt.
I myself was born on the Wirral and as a child had many rides on the second "Blackie" that was built by the Collingwood Bros whose shop I believe was in Smithdown Rd in Liverpool.
There is also a website that has dvd's and in one of them which I have and it is called"Liverpool Christmas" shows "Blacklers around circa 1950/1960 and it also shows the "Christmas Grottoes" that entertained children in that era.
These DVD's are available from a website.......
http://www.pleasurespast.co.uk/products.htm
Its an awesome documentary to watch and it will flood you with memories!! :D Also there are many other titles which contain lot of footage around Liverpool and the Wirral etc!!!
Here are some other links I found on Blacklers .........
http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/blacklers,liverpool
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/exhibitions/blackers/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacklers
http://www.liverpooltales.com/stories/blacklers.shtml
http://www.petersheils.com/USERIMAGES/4052721627_129353a242_o.jpg
http://www.merseyshop.com/products/productdetail.php?category_id=&product_id=1410&variation_id=2975&search_term=
Thankyou so much for posting this topic and I hope I can be of assistance to you!!
Kindest regards
Maureen
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now i know you want to know about the store but i thought you might want to know that i am good friends with the person who owned parklea after her and told me that it was haunted and that sometimes he could her a house band i don't know if this is her and her house band but i thought i would tell you anyway :)