Where Is This? No.180

Published on: 14 Oct, 2015
Updated on: 14 Oct, 2015

By David Rose

Only four replies to last week’s mysteries, but between them they correctly identified either the Ancients Lights sign that was in Jefferies Passage and the “pepperpot” in Wonersh.

Everyone added some interesting comments about the items featured. Click here to see last week’s past and all the comments.

Where was this? Click to enlarge image.

I have to admit, last week’s mystery vintage picture was a tricky one. This week’s should be a bit easier, and I hoping the regular readers will be able to add some details of this once well-known establishment. It is another photo supplied by Ade Morley. I think this set of pictures date to about the 1960s, but the ‘Books Bought’ sign was in place for many years after that.

Do you know where this is? Click to enlarge image.

The quirky picture shows a feature just off the High Street. If you can’t recognise it you might be able to work out where it is by identifying the created that is depicted.

If you know the answers to this week’s mysteries and can perhaps add some extra facts, please leave a reply in the box below. They will be published at about the same time next week along with two more mystery images.

Responses to Where Is This? No.180

Frank Phillipson Reply

October 15, 2015 at 12:26 am

The first photo is the very much missed Thorp’s bookshop.

The second is on a wall in the middle of Phoenix Court shopping area.
David Jopson Reply

October 15, 2015 at 7:18 am

The Constitutional Hall was/is at the top of the High Street pretty well opposite North Street.

I believe that it was the location of Guildford’s first cinema.

The quirky image is in Phoenix Court.
John Lomas Reply

October 15, 2015 at 9:04 pm

This is on High Street opposite the end of North Street.

I only remember it as a bookshop and spent many a lunch hour browsing through the cheap clearance books in boxes or baskets near the door.

I had not noticed the Constitutional Hall sign above the door and knew nothing about its origins until I Googled it and found the news items/letters in the Dragon from 2013.

I’m going to guess that the Phoenix has something to do with the shopping centre etc of that name between the bottom of North Street and Millbrook.
Ray Springer Reply

October 15, 2015 at 10:07 pm

The black and white photo is of Thorp’s bookshop at 170 High Street, alas, no longer a bookshop.

The Constitutional Hall was once a cinema (the first in Guildford apparently) opened in 1909.

Thorp’s was a wonderful shop with thousands of books of all descriptions. I spent a few hours in there browsing – I think I even bought a book or two over the years.

The quirky picture is in Phoenix Court which runs between North Street and High Street.
- Paul Garner Reply
  
  November 17, 2021 at 9:50 pm
  
  There was an independent, very hip bookstore on Friary Street(?) in 1967.
  
  One could get coffee there and have intelligent conversation with the proprietors.
  
  Does anyone remember its name or anything about it?
Jennie Antliff Reply

October 16, 2015 at 6:51 am

The Constitutional Hall was occupied by Thorp’s bookshop and is at the junction of High Street and Upper High Street opposite North Street.

This was a lovely shop with books in every passage, corridor and room sometimes stacked from floor to ceiling.

I lost many an hour in there. I was so sorry to see it close.

The quirky image is on the wall in Phoenix Court.
Chris Townsend Reply

October 20, 2015 at 10:39 am

Constitutional Hall was formerly Thomas Thorp’s bookshop.

His business began in Reading in 1883, and later in Guildford occupied shops in Chapel Street and lower down the High Street.

The business settled at the top of the town for at least 50 years, before closing in 2003.

The phoenix is on a wall above the words “Phoenix Court” as viewed from North Street.

To the left of the High Street entrance to the precinct is the date 1889, when the site was bought by Fremlin’s, the Maidstone brewers with the elephant trade mark.

The columns are reminders of their shop as it was before redevelopment.
Doug and Bill Staniforth Reply

October 20, 2015 at 5:05 pm

It was Thorp’s bookshop in the High Street.

Consta-whatever-it-is Hall is now a Justin Timberland shop!

Thorp’s always had a great selection, but always came up short on books concerning speedboats.

The other picture is Pheonix Court.

Couldn’t you spanner monkeys write a book? It could be called: Speedboat Dreams. Ed
Margaret Cole Reply

October 21, 2015 at 9:53 am

The Constitutional Hall at 170 High Street was once Thorps Bookshop.

When we were kids, always the place to go after Saturday morning pictures, we’d spend hours browsing among the millions of books.

The building was originally the first picture house in Guildford.

It is in abeyance for those that be and who would like to get rid of it, but not very likely as its historical record will stands for itself.

The Phoenix wall art is in Phoenix Court above the Cotswold show window. A bit hard to find, but give us a challenge and bingo we’re there!