Building on the corner of Bond Street and Basinghall Street

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Wed 17 Jun, 2009 10:45 pm

Yes it was Boots until, I should say, almost the 1960s. In the days of industrial grime and "smogs" we often got diamond sharp bits of grit in our eyes and you could go into Boots to have them quickly removed free of charge. They simply took a small cosmetic stick and gently rolled your eyelid up, and removed the painful "rock" (well that's what they felt like) with a special little soft brush. A most wonderful service which I used whenever necessary. I'm pretty certain that the lovely panel was not visible then, so it is indeed a mystery - UNLESS it just could have been a china shop after Boots went - I don't recall one, does anyone remember one way or the other ??

String o' beads · Post by **String o' beads** » Wed 17 Jun, 2009 11:00 pm

The style of it makes me think that it was prior to Boots somehow. Perhaps they had it covered over when they took over the premises.

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Wed 17 Jun, 2009 11:26 pm

chameleon wrote: LS1 wrote: see the Signs of lost leodis thread. If someone can get a picture that would be great. The sign has just been uncovered by some workmen that were doing it up. Not sure why it was there but I might have aclose look at lunch time! Got it today Lee. Nice one! thats it. Must have only been uncovered for a week, I walk past it every day.Maybe some leodis digging in order after which a trip to the library....!Style looks Edwardian, but then again I dont really know... (yet) lol!

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Thu 18 Jun, 2009 12:36 am

I just wonder if Boots present day Head Office holds any kind of historical archive which might give such minute detail as the covering up and retention of the panel during a facelift of the shop ??

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 18 Jun, 2009 1:43 am

I always thought there was more to this building. One for the YEP perhaps?

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Thu 18 Jun, 2009 1:08 pm

It reminds me a little bit of the pears soap adverti must admit though it looks to be in good nick...........maybe too good nick if you get me?I wonder if this is actually newer than we think?? is this a pattern made up of individual tiles or is it just painted onto the tiles???

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Thu 18 Jun, 2009 1:38 pm

Brandy wrote: It reminds me a little bit of the pears soap adverti must admit though it looks to be in good nick...........maybe too good nick if you get me?I wonder if this is actually newer than we think?? is this a pattern made up of individual tiles or is it just painted onto the tiles??? It's old! checked it out just now and it has a few chunks out of it and is actual tile. If you look closely it is a bit work, but seems to have been covered for so long that it has been protected. That building is old. Look round the corner at the brick work, has to be at least 1st part of ninetheenth century

slw · Post by **slw** » Thu 18 Jun, 2009 3:55 pm

I've had a good look on Leodis using several different keywords and cannot find anything that relates to it. There are some photos of the old Boots but the tiles are not visable/covered up. maybe someone can tell if they are covered up on this photo, (to give an idea of dates ??????)http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... 9_49143618

livi · Post by **livi** » Thu 18 Jun, 2009 4:24 pm

I did a quick search on GENUKI and looked at the White's Directorary for 1837 - I may have gone too far back and there was a Glass China and Earthenware seller at 12 Bond Street - however not sure of the numbering for the streethttp://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Leeds ... 7aDry.html

slw · Post by **slw** » Thu 18 Jun, 2009 4:32 pm

The sign says Doulton not Royal Doulton - this might be an indication of age as Doulton were only given permission to use Royal in 1901........ or it could be that they could not fit Royal on the tiles !!!