Aldridges Shop In Ipswich...

[Joanne]

I was just wondering if anyone can remember the sports shop on St. Matthews street in Ipswich called Aldridges? It was apparently on the same side of the road where Coes is today. My great grandfather William Sawyer was a co-owner of the shop and worked there in the 50s & 60s.  I think the shop closed down in the 70's.  Does anyone know of anywhere I could find an old photo of it?  Tried looking on the east anglian daily times unseen archive, they've got a couple of photos of st matthews street from the 60's but couldn't spot anything.

Many Thanks

[Hephzibah]

Coes is on Norwich Road

[Suffolk Mawther]

You could try the Suffolk Photographic Survey which is with the Ipswich branch of the Suffolk Record Office.

Presumably the shop was on St Matthews Street, just before it becomes Norwich Road, as Coe's is not very far into Norwich Road on the left leaving St Matthews Street.

There has been some rebuilding in that area, and it is where BBC Radio Suffolk is today.

Pat ...

[Suffolk Mawther]

PS

Will PM you Dave Kindred's email address - he has an amazing amount of Ipswich photographs, he could well have something.

He has put many of his vast collection in various books about the town and he has photographs in the East Anglian - usually to stir up memories and see if anyone can add comments to the photograph such as identify people pictured.

Pat ...

[AlexanderFields]

I wonder if Dave Kindred has any old pics of Key Street. I'd like to be able to ask him. AF

[Joanne]

Thanks for your help

[Hephzibah]

Eureka!! Aldridges was actually on Hyde Park Corner. It was on the bend where St Matthews Street bore left to join Crown Street. If you look at a present day map, coming from St Matthews Street toward Crown St there is a road on the left called St Georges St; Aldridges was on the Crown St corner of that road.
In 'Ipswich, Years of Change' (1956 -1966) by Trevor James, the shop is pictured on the first page!
Hephzibah

[Hephzibah]

Just had a look on Google Maps. The site is now Hyde Park House & the offices are occupied by Aviva. The best way to find it is to google map 'British Heart Foundation', St Matthews St Ipswich then scan to the right!!!!! At least, that's how I did it!
Noted on the maps that the road there is referred to as St Matthews St - it isn't, it's Crown St!
Where the BHF is, there was a pub called 'The Rainbow' - the first murder in Ipswich that I can remember, took place there!!
Hephzibah

[Suffolk Mawther]

Well done super sleuth Hephzibah     

Pat ...