The poster outside The Jacey cinema is advertising Black Orpheus, a 1959 film about the Rio Carnival, but this is 1970 and the end of an era for Brown’s department store. Clayton Square was once Liverpool’s finest city centre square but it had gradually become rough at the edges and in need of serious investment. Had it got it, back in the 1970s, we would be admiring an interesting mix of late-Georgian/Victorian buildings which would have softened the brutal impact of St John’s Market. What we got was a repeat of the same mistake. Rip out the character and erect a shopping mall which, after little more than 20 years, is already showing its age. As is always the case, commercial interests run rough-shod over the sensibilities of the public – the very people they are trying to entice into their crumbling malls. In truth the public has voted – which is why these ‘shopping experiences’ are emptying out. Sadly, the damage is already done and no amount of hand-wringing can restore the period character to the area.
Cracking shot. In the late 50s, my next door neighbour used to take me down town as a kid. I always remember her looking in the shop window, just to the right of the shot. I can’t recall the name of the shop, unless it was a continuation of Browns.
nice to see Clayton Square again much as it was. I worked at Browns about 1961 in the dispatch
dept.It was a great store to work in with staff and management always attentive to the customers needs,tact,diplomacy,etiquette – all that long gone.
Nothing was too small that could not be delivered and often was the case.
Browns store did extend into Parker Street and if I remember right there was exit and entrance there apart from Clayton Square.
To be in Clayton Square round Christmas whether shopping or singing carols was enchanting,the
city’s christmas tree ablaze with lights,and no one seemed to be in a hurry and as always the band played on.
And lastly I mourn the loss of a great city centre. I know we all must move forward with the times, but while most cities have done their best to retain what they have left, it seems the people who could of made a difference in the years past,let it all slip through their fingers.
i worked in Browns in 1966/67 lovely place to work…the staff and management were great…shame it all came to and end
love this photograph my great grandmother used to have fruit barrow in casey street would love see some old photographs of barrow ladies.
My mum nelly was the manageress of the number ten pub in 1970/71 would love to hear from anyone who knew her sadly her and my step dad eddy moloney have passed away
I forgot to mention the number ten was in Elliot st