Haye's Oyster Bar

Si · Post by Si » Wed 16 Dec, 2009 9:32 am

I found this picture (and several others) on Leodis, depicting Thomas Haye's Exchange Oyster Bar (taken in 1943.) It was on Call Lane beneath what became the Guinness Clock wall. Oysters were once part of the staple diet eaten by most folk from before Roman times right up till the Victorian era. Was this still the case in 1943, or did oysters make a temporary come-back due to wartime austerity? Nowadays, of course, oysters are seen as a pricey delicacy. Does anyone remember the shop, and when did it close?

Si · Post by Si » Wed 16 Dec, 2009 9:44 am

Having searched Leodis for "Hayes", I discovered there was (is?) a Hayes seafood stall in Kirkgate Market, photographed in 1999. The same family, I assume? The market can be seen in the background of the first picture, so they didn't move far!I also came across Norton's Oyster Shop, Boar Lane, 1869, pictured here. Bill Stickers was pretty keen!

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 16 Dec, 2009 10:43 am

Yes it's still there in the market, go down game row. You can by oysters ready to eat and other sea food. The also do a good bacon butty.

Post by **chameleon** » Wed 16 Dec, 2009 12:02 pm

Si wrote: I found this picture (and several others) on Leodis, depicting Thomas Haye's Exchange Oyster Bar (taken in 1943.) It was on Call Lane beneath what became the Guinness Clock wall. Oysters were once part of the staple diet eaten by most folk from before Roman times right up till the Victorian era. Was this still the case in 1943, or did oysters make a temporary come-back due to wartime austerity? Nowadays, of course, oysters are seen as a pricey delicacy. Does anyone remember the shop, and when did it close? Iremember this well into my time, crabs were also a speciality here too. more recently a watch and accessory shop wasn't it?

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Sat 19 Dec, 2009 6:58 pm

Si wrote: I found this picture (and several others) on Leodis, depicting Thomas Haye's Exchange Oyster Bar (taken in 1943.) It was on Call Lane beneath what became the Guinness Clock wall. Oysters were once part of the staple diet eaten by most folk from before Roman times right up till the Victorian era. Was this still the case in 1943, or did oysters make a temporary come-back due to wartime austerity? Nowadays, of course, oysters are seen as a pricey delicacy. Does anyone remember the shop, and when did it close? I remember this shop when I was a kid,but cant remember when it closed.Where the pearl Assurance sign is on the wall is where the Guinness clock was fixed.This is where virtually half the courting couples in Leeds would meet up in the 60's!

Loiner in Cyprus · Post by **Loiner in Cyprus** » Sat 19 Dec, 2009 8:06 pm

This is where virtually half the courting couples in Leeds would meet up in the 60's! How true. I met my wife at the Mecca on a Saturday in December 1968 and then met her under the Guiness clock the following Monday.

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Sat 19 Dec, 2009 8:19 pm

Loiner in Cyprus wrote: This is where virtually half the courting couples in Leeds would meet up in the 60's! How true. I met my wife at the Mecca on a Saturday in December 1968 and then met her under the Guiness clock the following Monday. I arranged to meet my dates on the opposite sde of the road outside Vallances the record shop, just in case she didn't turn up!LOL

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sat 19 Dec, 2009 8:38 pm

Loiner in Cyprus wrote: This is where virtually half the courting couples in Leeds would meet up in the 60's! Not me I used to meet my girlfriend (wife now) off the Ossett bus at Sovereign Street, we would then go to either the Mecca, the Merrion Street Bowl, The Carousel, Skand a Grill, Koh i Noor, Ashoka, Odeon, ABC or Majestic.