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Sharing our memories of Heald Green
Last Updated 24th Nov 2024
250 Finney Lane
By Helen Morgan
First Published 24/11/2024
Last Updated 24/11/2024
From grocers to sweet shop.
Originally numbered 142 Finney Lane.
Fig. 1 The row of shops on Finney Lane including number 250 (in yellow)
© Helen Morgan 2024
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142/250 Finney Lane
The building was built by 1929. In the Kelly’s directory of that year, Percy Clarke (Robert) was noted as being the foreman for W Brothers, grocers. He lived with his family next door in a large semi-detached house where the Dry Cleaners now stands. Emily Rogerson, whose parents owned Rogerson’s garage, where the Coop now stands, remembers the building being built. She was born in 1923 and remembers this as the 4th shop. The other 3 were on the other side of Neal Avenue.
“It was for John Williams, the grocers and, as was always the practice in those days, a lime storage pit was dug out at the front of the development with its sides built up with earth. On this particular day, when the builders had gone home, we were walking or rather running around the edge of this pit and eventually I slipped in. I rushed back to tell my mum with my legs covered in lime and I can vividly remember her getting newspapers to scrape off the lime.”
- Emily Whitfield Watson Nee Rogerson. Linkline memories from St Catherine’s
“The last shop, John Williams the Grocers, was a large, detached building with a wide drive at the side for delivery vans and I remember biscuits were sold loose by the weight and displayed in large tins with glass lids. The most tempting one contained milk chocolate digestive biscuits but for me they were forbidden fruit because too many “point” coupons were needed.”
- Anne Rushton. Linkline memories from St Catherine’s (1930s)
In 1935 W Brothers, grocers had F Williamson as the proprietor. By 1938 the familiar sign of John Williams and Sons Ltd could be seen. A Mr Willson Pollock was a salesman who lived at the back. Their Head Office from 1940 was 400 Dickenson Road, Rusholme, M13.
Fig. 2 This is 1952, and the walled garden of the semi-detached house alongside can be seen.
It was the Clarkes’ family home before becoming GS Burling and Sons Estate Agents.
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“The shop in the picture was John Williams grocers. I delivered orders for them on a bike with a basket at the front.”
- Mick Hankinson, Facebook 2021
Fig. 4 From St Catherine's Outlook Magazine December 1965
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“1964 my 1st job, Friday evening was at John Williams. The 1st supermarket in Heald Green. I remember opening a wooden box of Fyffes bananas once and the biggest, furry spider you’ve ever seen came crawling out!”
- Lynda Jackson, Facebook 2021
Fig. 3 From The Advertiser 5th December 1958
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The address changed to 250 Finney Lane by 1965 and the business remained here until 1969/70.
Maypole (NW) Ltd and Liptons (Northwest) Ltd then took over. Over the next couple of years Maypole was the lead name. However, from 1973 until it closed in 1986/87 it was Liptons. The entrance had a mosaic tiled surround, not unlike what can still be seen at Long Lane Post Office. It was a long narrow shop. Many remember this supermarket under the 2 names.
“I do remember it being Maypole and my granny shopping there.”
- Susan Franklin, Facebook 2022
“I remember going to Liptons with my mum when I was a little boy. It was in the 1970s.”
- Martin Philips, Facebook 2021
“Mum worked on the bacon counter in Liptons. She used to bone the bacon in the back. Best ¼lb of ham or ½ lb of cheese etc. She worked at Hewitt’s Taxis after doing a 9am until 6pm. Then went to the Tatton Arms working behind the bar after work. My mum was a grafter.”
- Joan Sharp, Facebook 2021
“I remember Liptons and the green stamps my mum used to buy.”
- Daz Price, Facebook 2022
“My daughter Julie was a Saturday girl at Liptons. Their bacon counter was at the bottom with the butcher counter. My friend’s husband Paul was the butcher there.”
- Lynda Raglan in conversation, August 2023
“There was a butcher’s counter next to the provisions counter at the back of the shop. A greengrocer’s counter on the left of the shop.”
- Antony A Pownall, Facebook 2022
“Next to the Post Office on the left was Lipton’s supermarket. I used to be friends with their daughter Julie. They lived on Daisy Bank Lane until around 1975, then they moved down south.”
- Andrea Moulson, Facebook 2021
In 1987 Jim Hall Sports opened here.
“Jim Hall Sports. I met Sir Alex Ferguson there on its opening day circa 1987.”
- David Potts, Facebook 2021
“Tommy Doc was also there. Jim Hall Sports, there’s still one in Bramhall I think.”
- Jon Adams, Facebook 2021
Above the sports shop, through a side door on the outside, was Bobby Charlton Sports school and Bobby Charlton Enterprises from 1987 until at least 1990. He advertised across the North West.
“I worked at the garage and used to check Bobbys tyres on a regular basis, always tipped and very friendly. At one point I bought a snooker cue from the shop, I couldn't afford much but I was happy with it until I got to my first match, found it was warped. So next day I went to the shop, and was talking to the manager about a replacement, Bobby came in and asked what was going on. He then said pick any cue you like as a replacement and then refunded my money as well. Really, really nice man. RIP Sir Bobby. Still got the cue, must be 35 years ago or more.”
- Andrew John Wilkinson, Facebook 2024
Fig. 5 From The Ripon Gazette 27th February 1987
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Fig. 6 From The Nelson Leader 1st June 1990
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“There was a sports shop called Jim Hall Sports for a time in the 1980s as well. I used to go and check out the trainers and tracksuits, coveting a pair of Adidas LA trainers. I eventually got some when I was 41!”
- Mark Jackson, Facebook 2021
“My Dad bought me my first pair of proper running trainers from Jim Hall Sports.”
- Andy McGillivray, Facebook 2024
“Billy McNeil, City manager at the time, opened the store if I remember right.”
- David Osborne, Facebook 2024
“Jim Hall Sports is still running in Bramhall on the mini roundabout in the village. Steven and Jim are in most days.”
- Terry Gibson, Facebook 2024
“My parents bought this sledge from Jim Hall Sports in 1988! Still going strong for the next generation!”
- Faye Lomax, Facebook 2024
Fig. 7 © Faye Lomax
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Fig. 8
Blockbusters TV show
“Channel 21 used to be called Blockbusters, but it had to change, no doubt when it got some heat from Blockbuster”
- Christian Cosgriff, Facebook 2021
After Jim Hall Sports came Blockbusters Video rental shop. It was definitely there in 1994. Now there was children’s programme on the television around this time that was very popular and the shop’s branding was very similar. There was a bit of a “to do” and the shop became Channel 21 video rental shop. VHS video tapes and for a while Betamax tapes could be rented to watch at home on your video player attached to your telly. Revolutionary!! Moving into this century they stocked DVDs to rent as well. Their demise really came with the invention of the world wide web, that opened up a whole new way to watch, well pretty much anything!
Now this has to be one of the best stories I have ever heard!
“Think it was called Channel something. I got locked in there once as a kid. There was a little alcove thing on the left where the kid’s films were. I was so small the bloke thought no one was in there and locked up for lunch! Dippy Daisy me didn’t even know. I picked my film and finally went and stood at the counter and waited, thinking the bloke was in the back of the shop. His face when he saw 7 year old me at the counter of his locked shop and me not even knowing I was locked in! Long story short I got free videos for about 2 years. True story.”
- R E Tunnell, Facebook 2021
After Channel 21 the video store may have been called Mach 1.
Paradise Spice Indian Restaurant was the next business and according to their Facebook page it was established in 2006. Due to the building, it was a long and narrow restaurant, but fared really well within the local community. They supported Wythenshawe Hospital staff during COVID19 by sending hot meals for their staff and followed the Eat out to help out government scheme. They held fundraisers for local charities too. The pandemic brought about many social changes as going out habits had changed. Plus, rising costs of food and fuel meant a fine balancing act to attract customers back at a price they could afford. Going forward times were hard for us all.
Fig. 9 Paradise Spice from their Facebook page
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Fig. 10 Paradise Spice from their Facebook page
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“Monsoor and his staff were always so friendly and welcoming. The chicken dopiaza and particularly the Balti Paradise (with a little cocktail umbrella) were in my opinion the best curries I have tasted anywhere in the UK. On top of that it was walking distance from my house. We were so lucky to have such a great local restaurant. We took this picture just before we moved to Blackpool in April 2022. It seemed to be struggling pre covid and we continually suggested they increased prices but they were keen to be good value. Prices increased so much post covid that I think they weren’t able to make a profit.”
- Colin Barnsley, Messenger 2024
Fig. 11 Paradise Spice April 2022
© Colin Barnsley
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Towards the end of 2023 news started to filter through that the restaurant was closing which came as a shock to many. Their last evening for trading was on Sunday January 14th, 2024.
It was then all change with the building being gutted. We waited to hear what business was going to take over and then the sign went up. Nafees Asian sweet centre and restaurant, a family run business.
Fig. 12 From Paradise Spice to Nafees February 2024
© Helen Morgan
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The Din brothers, who now run the business, remember their father with great affection and call him a legend. In the shop is a timeline to show their father’s achievements.
Mohammad Din was born in Jalandhar in India in 1936 and later moved to Pakistan. He wrestled for his new country in the 1960 Italian Olympics and was their lightweight champion from 1957-1960.
In 1961, after retiring from wrestling, he moved to Manchester to support his family in Pakistan. Since 1940 the family had manufactured Indian sweets. Using his knowledge, he opened a traditional Indian sweet shop in Longsight in 1986.
Mohammad sadly passed away on July 15th, 2022. His sons decided to continue his legacy in Heald Green capturing a gap in the market and high demand for an Asian Confectionery shop and Asian (desi) breakfast lounge.
Fig. 13 Proud sons, Nadeem, Naveed and the youngest Nafees opening the shop on April 26th 2024.
© Ben Wright
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My photos from June 2024 show they have transformed the interior into a light, bright, welcoming space and business has been brisk.
Fig. 14 Nafees interior
© Helen Morgan 2024
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Fig. 15 Nafees interior
© Helen Morgan 2024
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Fig. 16 Nafees interior where the bar area used to be in Paradise Spice
© Helen Morgan 2024
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250A Finney Lane
Terence Paul Hairdressing salon was built across an entrance to the yard at the back of the 250 building, where delivery vans could load and unload. There were adverts in the local papers for stylist’s jobs as early as 1992 and the building was definitely there by 1993.
Fig. 17 Terence Paul September 2023 still trading
© Helen Morgan 2023
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Fig. 18 Terence Paul advert Express Advertiser 1993
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As of 2024, the shop still looks ready for business but I never see anyone in it. I was told that at least 10 years ago, it closed as a fully working salon to become a training centre. Apparently, it still opens on Mondays for that.
This is the side door for Terence Paul. It was also the door for Bobby Charlton Enterprises.
Fig. 19 Terence Paul June 2024
© Helen Morgan 2024
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“Hair today, gone tomorrow, couldn’t resist!”
- Mike Cox, Facebook 2023
Thank you to everyone who, via our Heritage Facebook page and email, have contributed to this article.
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