New book tells the story of the closure of the corner shop
I’ve worked with my Mum on a new edition of A Shop on Every Corner, a book that she originally wrote with my Dad in 2007. It’s a social history of the local economy of a corner of York.
A Shop on Every Corner by Christine Waddington tells the story of the demise of corner shops in a corner of York, from a boom in the 1900s when there used to be a shop on almost every street corner in towns and villages across England, to the modern day.
The social history and stories contained within the book were gathered from friends and neighbours in the Leeman Road and wider York area following an appeal via the shop and York Press.
The original edition of A Shop on Every Corner was published in 2007 and written by Mum and Dad when they had owned Bright Street Post Office, Leeman Road in York. The sub-Post Office and shop closed in 2009, itself becoming part of the story of the demise of corner shops in the UK.
The new edition published this month is dedicated to my Dad following his death, and has been updated by Mum and I.
“It was a sad day for us when we closed the doors of Bright Street Post Office for the last time and another Leeman Road shop closed. Many customers had become friends. We moved in 2011 and the property was converted into two flats,” said Christine Waddington.
“Customers would often talk to us about how the area used to be and would mention different shops and we often thought how interesting it would be to document it all. Little has ever been written about the Leeman Road area. It’s a story that hasn’t been told,” she added.
The book is split into six sections, plotting the social history of a local economy of a corner of York.
Chapter One - Before 1900
An introduction to the area that would become known as the Leeman Road in York. It tells of the impact of the arrival of the railway. This includes the influence of George Leeman, a lawyer, railwayman, and Member of Parliament. The foundations of a community were built.
Chapter Two - 1900 to 1920
The establishment of the community and the naming of the streets as more houses are built. During this period more shops were opened, and the Co-op expanded. The effects of the First World War are discussed, and a local prison camp is established.
Chapter Three - 1920 to 1940
The story of the peak time for corner shops with many more being established including some in living rooms. The stories are told of various shops and local personalities. Other recreational facilities are opened in the area.
Chapter Four - 1940 to 1960
The impact of World War Two on Leeman Road and the impacts of rationing for the local shops. On a lighter note, it also features local entertainment and Coronation Street parties.
Chapter Five - 1960 to 1980
The first signs of decline for the shop on every corner, with shops opening, closing, and changing. The impact of the new supermarkets was being felt.
Chapter Six - 1980 to the present day
The final chapter shows how Leeman Road shops are adapting to the changes and how the nature of some of the shops had to change. There are other changes too with the Primary School closing and moving to a new location and the Co-op building being converted into flats.
A Shop on Every Corner is available via my website priced £6.95 in print. It’s also available via Amazon priced £6.95 in print and as a Kindle e-book priced £2.95.
