Where Is This? No.216

Published on: 30 Jun, 2016
Updated on: 30 Jun, 2016

By David Rose

The Viking Travel Centre seen in last week’s mystery vintage picture is now a Starbucks coffe shop in the upper High Street, and next to the “new” Royal Grammar School building.

A number of readers correctly identified the location and added comments. Click here to see last week’s post.

While the feet seen in the quirky picture belong to one of the girls in the Alice sculpture beside the river at Millmead. Again, addition information was added, including Dave Middleton recalling that the original rabbit as part of the piece was stolen, so its replacement is what you see today.

Interesting to note that most of Guildford’s travel agents are now clustered fairly close to one another in the lower part of the High Street.

Back in and around the 1970s Guildford was dubbed “full of shoe shops and building societies”.

There are fewer of the later now, while about three quarters of the premises found in the High Street today are in the business of selling clothes and shoes.

Many of the restaurants and eateries are clustered in the upper High Street, with even more now flocking to Friary Street.

Personally, I think Guildford has a great selection of shops and places to eat today – much beter than I remember when growing up. But I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

Where was Marian Jacks?

On to this week’s mystery vintage picture and staying with clothing who remembers Marian Jacks? Where was it in the town centre?

This is an image from the collection at the Guildford Institute and I don’t think I have featured this particular one before.

Do you know where this is?

The quirky picture is courtesy of editor Martin Giles. A kind of turret that is part of a block of apartments (upper storeys at least) in a street off North Street. Any ideas?

If you know the answers to this week’s mysteries, please leave a reply in the box below – and include extra details if you have them.

They will be published along with two more mystery images at about the same time next week. Good luck.

Responses to Where Is This? No.216

John Lomas Reply

June 30, 2016 at 9:29 pm

I think that the building with the R is Robert Dyas, so that would put Pullars and Jacks where M&S is now.

The quirky picture is of the corner of Haydon Place and Martyr Road.
Ray Springer Reply

July 1, 2016 at 10:53 am

Marian Jacks was at what was 151 High Street.

Numbers in High Street have since changed.

The quirky picture is of a building on the corner of Haydon Place and Martyr Road.
Colin Mills Reply

July 3, 2016 at 9:32 pm

Marian Jacks in the upper High Street.

My late mother worked there on leaving school in 1930 until her marriage in 1940.

A highly reputable business owned by Miss Jacks who also had other premises in London.

Several staff were employed in the Guildford shop with a upstairs workroom were ladies foundation garments were made.

Part of my mothers’s duties involved travelling to and from London by train transferring goods between stores.

The business continued to thrive for many years and my mother kept in touch with many of the staff and partners in the Guildford shop who were I think a Miss Borer and Miss Shawbread who lived in Onslow Village.

The premises has had many occupants since then and I wonder if anyone remembers a vegetarian restaurant being there in the late 1960s?
Chris Townsend Reply

July 4, 2016 at 8:19 pm

Marian Jacks “ladies costumiers” (previously featured in no.91) was in Upper High Street, facing the top of North Street.

The site is now occupied by a cafe, but looking much the same above the ground floor.

At number 152 was one of many UK-wide agencies of Pullars of Perth, cleaners and dyers, holders of the Royal Warrant.

At number 150 was Brett’s, caterers, bakers and confectioners; maybe the large letter R begins the word Restaurant?

The quirky turret is at the corner of Haydon Place and Martyr Road.
Bill and Doug Stanniforth Reply

July 5, 2016 at 9:04 am

Picture 1 is in the upper High Street. Now the Amor Amora cafe. We believe that Marian Jacks is where “Beaverbrook” Giles bought his clothes back in 1925. Rumour has it he’s still wearing them.

Picture 2 is the flats and offices of Nest Egg Developments in Haydon Place. The turret on the top is a look out point for boating on the river.

Yes, waste not want not, the clothes are doing very well thank you, although I tend to use the top hat less and less. If ever you lads do get a speedboat Guildford will need more than a look out point, we will have to create our own Coastguard! Ed
Margaret Cole Reply

July 6, 2016 at 1:17 pm

The picture of Marian Jacks premises could be found in the upper High Street between Thorp’s bookshop and Bakers Yard.

She was a costumier as Bernard Parke stated in the first showing of the picture. He was asked by her to visit the building on business matters!

My son Graham does not agree with me. He says it is the former Habitat building in the High Street. I don’t agree with him.

This next picture shows an appartment block on the corner of Martyr Road and Haydon Place.
Louise Mitchell Reply

July 6, 2016 at 1:17 pm

The photo is from the junction of North Street and High Street, where Castle Fine Arts is now.

The pattern on the first floor wall is still there. I got this from Googling 151 North Street and using Street View.

I love these pictures – keep them coming!
Jackie Kay Reply

July 6, 2016 at 10:36 pm

Turret building in Hayden Place