Southampton History Question

[NorthamSteve]

Has anybody heard of a department store called May's (or Mai's or possibly mayes). It might have even been called something else.

 

It stood where the Burger King is now (the one by the Bargate) and was bombed out on at least one occasion. There are some interesting stories on this and I wanted to locate them due to a coincidental conversation with a colleague.

 

Cheers

[Toadhall Saint]

Has anybody heard of a department store called May's (or Mai's or possibly mayes). It might have even been called something else.

 

It stood where the Burger King is now (the one by the Bargate) and was bombed out on at least one occasion. There are some interesting stories on this and I wanted to locate them due to a coincidental conversation with a colleague.

 

Cheers

 

I think there was a Dept store called Owen & Owen from memory - It didn't quite reach the Burger King corner, but it covered where the snooker hall and what was TK Maxx (previousky Gattis pub). There was a plaque in Owen Owen on the very top floor that commemorated the people that lost there lives when it was bombed (circa 1940) as some people back in those days lived in accomodation on the top floor.

 

This is a good map of where all the bombs drop circa Nov/Dec 1940

 

http://blog.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/2010/11/mapping-the-southampton-blitz-70-years-on/

Edited 3 February, 2011 by Toadhall Saint
Inc URL

[NorthamSteve]

That's a good map. I've never seen one of that quality before.

 

A bomb landed on where my flat is 70 years ago. :/

 

Strangely, the location of that store is hasn't got a direct hit recorded.

[Dimond Geezer]

I think there was a Dept store called Owen & Owen from memory - It didn't quite reach the Burger King corner, but it covered where the snooker hall and what was TK Maxx (previousky Gattis pub). There was a plaque in Owen Owen on the very top floor that commemorated the people that lost there lives when it was bombed (circa 1940) as some people back in those days lived in accomodation on the top floor.

 

This is a good map of where all the bombs drop circa Nov/Dec 1940

 

http://blog.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/2010/11/mapping-the-southampton-blitz-70-years-on/

 

Almost, I believe you're correct by saying Owen & Owens was known as Mays, and you are right about TK Maxx, but Argos was also put into the footprint of Owens, although I can't recall the snooker hall.

[Sevvy]

May's then it became Owen and Owen, now TK Maxx etc

[Toadhall Saint]

Almost, I believe you're correct by saying Owen & Owens was known as Mays, and you are right about TK Maxx, but Argos was also put into the footprint of Owens, although I can't recall the snooker hall.

 

The snooker hall was above and to the left - not sure if its still there but remember watching a couple of Saints games that were beamed in from somewhere like Sweden that got them when the UK didn't.

 

Forgot about Argos - there's been quite a few in the footprint. There's a store around the back as well that covers the old rear entrance (ooeerr) of Owen & Owens.

[Saint-scooby]

I have just called my mum and to confirm it was called Mays. Where Burger King is now used to be Huckleberrys, think that was one of the first fast food places in town

Prior to that it was a night club called Phoenix and yes one of many clubs that burnt down.

[Dimond Geezer]

Just done a bit of googling, and I can't find anything on Mayes, but Owen & Owen, is actually called Owen Owen (without the 'and'), from wiki:

 

"Owen Owen was founded by an individual called Owen Owen in Liverpool, where he opened a drapery shop"

 

an example of un-imaginitive naming by his parents.

[Dimond Geezer]

Forgot about Argos - there's been quite a few in the footprint. There's a store around the back as well that covers the old rear entrance (ooeerr) of Owen & Owens.

 

You're right, wasn't it a computer consumables shop at one time.

[NorthamSteve]

This is interesting chaps! Keep it coming.

[Saint-scooby]

Evesham computers

[Saint-scooby]

Debenhams used to be called Edwin Jones one the three bigger deparment stores in town the other being Tyrell and Green now John lewis

[1576]

I have just called my mum and to confirm it was called Mays. Where Burger King is now used to be Huckleberrys, think that was one of the first fast food places in town

Prior to that it was a night club called Phoenix and yes one of many clubs that burnt down.

 

Was Wimpy in between Huckleberrys and BK, there is a seriously big cellar under BK that stretches nearly as far as the Bargate.

[NorthamSteve]

Was Wimpy in between Huckleberrys and BK, there is a seriously big cellar under BK that stretches nearly as far as the Bargate.

 

That might be something to do with the medieval catacoombs. You could ( until the banks got secure cellars) walk from the Red Lion in below bar to the bargate underground. The red lion was a law court way back then (and a pub), and the condemned were taken stright to the Bargate and strung-up. Slightly off topic but interesting none the less.

Edited 3 February, 2011 by NorthamSteve

[Toadhall Saint]

Debenhams used to be called Edwin Jones one the three bigger deparment stores in town the other being Tyrell and Green now John lewis

 

Showing my age but I can remember when it was Edwin Jones - was brought up not 100 yards from there.

 

As to the night club - it was also called Jokers at one time or other.

[Saint-scooby]

The only Wimpy I remember was the one in London road, where you got plates and cutlery, oh and crusha milkshakes made for you. It was a treat if you went there, not part of daily life as it is now for quite a few.

[Saint-scooby]

Showing my age but I can remember when it was Edwin Jones - was brought up not 100 yards from there.

 

As to the night club - it was also called Jokers at one time or other.

 

yes your correct, it was called phoenix when it re opened I went to school with the owners son.

[Dimond Geezer]

The only Wimpy I remember was the one in London road, where you got plates and cutlery, oh and crusha milkshakes made for you. It was a treat if you went there, not part of daily life as it is now for quite a few.

 

I think 1576 is correct, I'm sure I remember Wimpey after Huckleberrys.

[so22saint]

I had one of my birthday parties in Huckleberrys - I'm sure it was downstairs.

 

feeling old.

[dronskisaint]

I the early '60s I can remember Mays being Owen Owen (or was it the other way round?) Didn't it become a C & A for a while?

[Toadhall Saint]

That's a good map. I've never seen one of that quality before.

 

A bomb landed on where my flat is 70 years ago. :/

 

Strangely, the location of that store is hasn't got a direct hit recorded.

 

If you read some of the feedback on the link I think it mentions "mines" and that they have not been included.

 

Not sure if this is just local legend but I can remember talk of an Air raid shelter in Hoglands park getting a direct hit and all they did was treat it as a mass grave and bulldozed it over - not seen anything anywhere about that and I'm pretty sure theres no plaque or statue in the park.

[dellboypete]

The only Wimpy I remember was the one in London road, where you got plates and cutlery, oh and crusha milkshakes made for you. It was a treat if you went there, not part of daily life as it is now for quite a few.

 

More or less opposite Toomers - the best sport shop in town in those days (inc Holt & Haskell in Shirley Rd)

[NorthamSteve]

If you read some of the feedback on the link I think it mentions "mines" and that they have not been included.

 

Not sure if this is just local legend but I can remember talk of an Air raid shelter in Hoglands park getting a direct hit and all they did was treat it as a mass grave and bulldozed it over - not seen anything anywhere about that and I'm pretty sure theres no plaque or statue in the park.

 

There is a plaque there, I'll find the location. - It's in one of my history books somewhere. The bit about bulldozing over I'm not so sure about.

[Dimond Geezer]

I the early '60s I can remember Mays being Owen Owen (or was it the other way round?) Didn't it become a C & A for a while?

 

C & A was in Above Bar Street next to Guildhall Square, C&A being on the south side of the square, Plummers on the north side, I think the building has now been demolished as part of the Cultural Quarter development.

 

Which reminds me of the joke:

"why does my wife have c&a in her undies?"

"so she can put them on around the right way"

[mickn]

Iirc there was also a mens clothes shop there somewhere called Winter and Worth and also Gattis the restaurant?

[NorthamSteve]

C & A was in Above Bar Street next to Guildhall Square, C&A being on the south side of the square, Plummers on the north side, I think the building has now been demolished as part of the Cultural Quarter development.

 

Which reminds me of the joke:

"why does my wife have c&a in her undies?"

"so she can put them on around the right way"

 

I remember somebody saying that there Uncle from London referred to it as coats 'n 'ats.

[Dimond Geezer]

More or less opposite Toomers - the best sport shop in town in those days (inc Holt & Haskell in Shirley Rd)

 

Toomers was great. You could by single studs, rather than a pack of 12.

[Toadhall Saint]

More or less opposite Toomers - the best sport shop in town in those days (inc Holt & Haskell in Shirley Rd)

 

Got my first pair of Adidas kick in there.

[Toadhall Saint]

There is a plaque there, I'll find the location. - It's in one of my history books somewhere. The bit about bulldozing over I'm not so sure about.

 

Cheers - as I said it was all verbally passed to me.

 

I've seen pictures of Hoglands park when it was used for the American army before D Day but that would have been a couple of years later.

[NorthamSteve]

Cheers - as I said it was all verbally passed to me.

 

I've seen pictures of Hoglands park when it was used for the American army before D Day but that would have been a couple of years later.

 

Can you somehow point me in the direction of these photos?

[Toadhall Saint]

Iirc there was also a mens clothes shop there somewhere called Winter and Worth and also Gattis the restaurant?

 

A load of us used to meet up in there before Saints home games - a few pints then walk up to Plesteads in the bus station for a Steak & kidney pie on the way to the game - halcion days.

[Toadhall Saint]

Can you somehow point me in the direction of these photos?

 

I think they were in a book called Southampton at War. I'll try to google later and see what I can find.

[mickn]

A load of us used to meet up in there before Saints home games - a few pints then walk up to Plesteads in the bus station for a Steak & kidney pie on the way to the game - halcion days.

 

 

 

Plesteds were superb, so hot they used to remove any skin they came into contact with lol

[NorthamSteve]

Hmm, I might have that.....

[Toadhall Saint]

Hmm, I might have that.....

 

Heres a site with some good references to most of the books available

 

http://www.jakesimpkin.org/ArticlesResearch/WW2Southampton/tabid/76/Default.aspx

[Toadhall Saint]

Plesteds were superb, so hot they used to remove any skin they came into contact with lol

 

Nuclear!

[NorthamSteve]

Heres a site with some good references to most of the books available

 

http://www.jakesimpkin.org/ArticlesResearch/WW2Southampton/tabid/76/Default.aspx

 

I've got about 6 or 7 of those. The children of the blitz is probably the best in my opinion, however others are good for geographical references.

[Toadhall Saint]

I've got about 6 or 7 of those. The children of the blitz is probably the best in my opinion, however others are good for geographical references.

 

I love this city! So much history and its all on your doorstep. I take it your from Northam (or do you stand there)? I was born on the estate and moved to Holyrood when I was about 2.

[Wurzel]

A load of us used to meet up in there before Saints home games - a few pints then walk up to Plesteads in the bus station for a Steak & kidney pie on the way to the game - halcion days.

 

Was discussing Gattis only the other day with Mrs W, she doesn't remember it despite being older than me. I recall mock tudor beams, red lamp shades and the seating area divided into lots of nooks and crannies. Am I thinking of the right place?

[mickn]

Was discussing Gattis only the other day with Mrs W, she doesn't remember it despite being older than me. I recall mock tudor beams, red lamp shades and the seating area divided into lots of nooks and crannies. Am I thinking of the right place?

 

Thats it

[NorthamSteve]

I love this city! So much history and its all on your doorstep. I take it your from Northam (or do you stand there)? I was born on the estate and moved to Holyrood when I was about 2.

 

From Woolston, and yes stand in the Northam (and called Steve!! )

 

I grew up in Woolston, the Spitfire Quay sign that you could see from Peartree Green started my interest in the city and now I have a cash of all sorts of references. It's always interesting hearing from people that have lived around here.

 

Sadly I'm moving away in October, so I'm getting a bit nostalgic and whilst I'm here I'm trrying to tie up some loose ends in reference to my knowledge of the place (particularly WWII) before the people that can tell us are gone.

[Toadhall Saint]

From Woolston, and yes stand in the Northam (and called Steve!! )

 

I grew up in Woolston, the Spitfire Quay sign that you could see from Peartree Green started my interest in the city and now I have a cash of all sorts of references. It's always interesting hearing from people that have lived around here.

 

Sadly I'm moving away in October, so I'm getting a bit nostalgic and whilst I'm here I'm trrying to tie up some loose ends in reference to my knowledge of the place (particularly WWII) before the people that can tell us are gone.

 

Funny that I now live in Woolston!

 

Yeah wish my Mum was still around - she was a clippy on the Trams in the war.

 

My mate moved to Thailand a few years ago - he has linked upto the cameras in the city - just so he can have a look at his home city which makes me laugh everytime I think about it!

[manji]

There is a plaque there, I'll find the location. - It's in one of my history books somewhere. The bit about bulldozing over I'm not so sure about.

 

There is a plaque there , right opposite Debenhams.

[alehouseboys]

A load of us used to meet up in there before Saints home games - a few pints then walk up to Plesteads in the bus station for a Steak & kidney pie on the way to the game - halcion days.

 

...and you can't mention Plesteads Pies without also mentioning the neighbouring Dr Marten shop...a must for yer Pods and, obviously, yer Docs!

[miserableoldgit]

There have been a couple of very interesting "Southampton History" threads on here if anyone can find them.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

I have just called my mum and to confirm it was called Mays. Where Burger King is now used to be Huckleberrys, think that was one of the first fast food places in town

Prior to that it was a night club called Phoenix and yes one of many clubs that burnt down.

 

That's the site of the old Bird's Nest dicotheque, late 60's to mid 70's..

 

As to Mayes being bombed I'm not sure although Edwin Jones most definitely was. They rebuilt into what was at the time a massive department store, now alled Debenhams. There is a memorial to those who lost their lives in the Edwin Jones bombing, it's now locted (I believe) in the middle of the roundabout by the store.

[Toadhall Saint]

That's the site of the old Bird's Nest dicotheque, late 60's to mid 70's..

 

As to Mayes being bombed I'm not sure although Edwin Jones most definitely was. They rebuilt into what was at the time a massive department store, now alled Debenhams. There is a memorial to those who lost their lives in the Edwin Jones bombing, it's now locted (I believe) in the middle of the roundabout by the store.

 

There was definitley a plaque in Owen Owens - top of the stairs - probably still there if you could get to it now.

[saintsab1]

I have confirmed with my 88 year old grandmother who would have been 18 years old the night MAYES (confirmed spelling) was bombed, she tells me it was a department store for posh people! After it was destroyed she remembers it being relocated to bedford place.

 

It is true there are medieval vaults running under the city around that area and lots of them, my great uncle was buried in one near Telecom House when that part of the city was destroyed in 1940 (he survived).

You should do the free city tour - you get to see the old medieval vaults they are fascinating, you can see the blast walls built during the war. look here http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/site/whats-on-in-southampton/heritage-walks-of-old-southampton-p2331

 

Finally im my living memory it was Owen Owen (my mum worked there) and at the end was Huckleberries, Wimpey the BK.

[Toadhall Saint]

I have confirmed with my 88 year old grandmother who would have been 18 years old the night MAYES (confirmed spelling) was bombed, she tells me it was a department store for posh people! After it was destroyed she remembers it being relocated to bedford place.

 

It is true there are medieval vaults running under the city around that area and lots of them, my great uncle was buried in one near Telecom House when that part of the city was destroyed in 1940 (he survived).

You should do the free city tour - you get to see the old medieval vaults they are fascinating, you can see the blast walls built during the war. look here http://www.visit-southampton.co.uk/site/whats-on-in-southampton/heritage-walks-of-old-southampton-p2331

 

Finally im my living memory it was Owen Owen (my mum worked there) and at the end was Huckleberries, Wimpey the BK.

 

Remember doing a Project when at St Johns (bottom of the High St) on the history of Southampton where we visited all of the Vaults (there's one under the playground of St Johns - which is opposite the old Telecom building) really fascinating stuff.

[Sevvy]

There is a plaque there, I'll find the location. - It's in one of my history books somewhere. The bit about bulldozing over I'm not so sure about.

 

Come out of Debenems and walk across the road towards the park, other side of the fence is the plaque