Past Times

Photos of Old Nuneaton

The old bus terminal is now The Close Complex opposite the Library. Dempster Court in the background.

The Town Hall under construction in May 1932 when the River Anker and the Wash Brook flooded. The footings were completely washed away and the build had to be started again, delaying the opening until 1934. Milliner’s is now the Tool Box.

Coton Road. In the distance is the old Mining School on the corner of Riversley Road. The first cyclist is just going past where the Roanne is now. Hiding behind the first tree is the now derelict ‘Redroofs’, home to Mr L E Price, Mayor of Nuneaton in 1929 and the house later became ‘Redroofs’ surgery. Floods were common in Nuneaton in the 1950’s.

The original Pingles Leisure Centre in the early 1970’s. Built in 1965 it closed in 2003 to be redeveloped into the new running track and sports complex whilst the new Pingles Leisure was built on what was the the car park.

The old J C Smiths furniture awaiting demolition in 1967. The site became Sainsburys supermarket and next to it on the left was Tandys. The Granby Head public house (just in view on the left) was not affected. To the right of the new Sainsbury was the Post Office and next to that the Tax Office.

Bond Gate again.

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The Boer War statue fondly known as ‘Old Bill’ orininally stood in Bond Gate alongside the river. When the Hippodrome was demolished and the road widened, ‘Old Bill’ was moved to Riversley Park.

Stirling Metals, part of the Birmid Industries Group. It was the biggest employer in Nuneaton. It closed in 1987, unable to compete with the allegedly subsidised competition from Spain and Brazil.

Coventry Street in the 1950’s (possibly 1958) showing the flooding which was not uncommon. In the background you can see the old Police Station (now Virgin Bank), next to it is Armstrongs and the first of the small houses is Evolve Hair Stylists. All the other shops and houses have gone to be replaced by the Multi Storey Car park and the Roanne.

Looking across from Vicarage Street to the redevelopment on Church Street. The untouched Granby Head can be seen on the right.

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‘Old Bill’ stood at the bottom of the bank in the Remembrance Gardens (now known as the ‘Wedding Gardens’ because of the proximity of the Registry Office). If you go down the steps from Vicarage Street to the gardens, ‘Old Bill’ stood approximately 2 metres to your right.

The Museum in Riversley Park in the 1958 flood (we believe). Off to the right you can see the old metal bridge that used to span the River Anker. The statue in the sunken gardens is the Mother and Children. It was removed in the 1960’s. The ‘Old Bill’ statue stands there now.

Church Street in the floods. 1950’s. The white building on the left is the Saracens Head that stood on the corner of Bridge Street.

Bond Gate, year not known but probably late 50’s early 60’s. The ‘OXO’ bus on the left is parked by the bus shelters alongside the river. The shelters were removed and became a taxi rank.

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