Park Lane market memories from hundreds of readers
NEARLY 30,000 PEOPLE SPOTTED THE SOCIAL MEDIA POST WHICH SHOWED THE OPENING OF THE MARKET
There were bargains galore to be had at the Park Lane Market in Sunderland. And memories of it came flooding back for Sunderland Echo readers when we shared a 1984 photograph of the day it first opened.
Cheap veg, a stall which was filled with LPs and a bustling environment. That’s what you all remembered of it.
We reached 30,000 people with our post but we would still love to hear more of your memories.
But here are some of those you have already shared with us. Adeleine Stubbs recalled: “I used to get my veg there every Saturday after a coffee in Louis.”
And Joanne Robertson chipped in with: “I can remember going shopping with mum here and clinging onto her hand for dear life. It was so busy back then xxx.” Jean Matuszek said: “Had some good times on there. Bring back
mémories.” Anthony Chambers added: “My mother had a stall there for years. Popular lady Nancy Chambers. And thats young Bennet on the fruit stall.”
This was a place where people could buy everything from fresh fish to rugs and fruit and vegetables to phone accessories or footwear.
Maureen Richardson loved the “Great picture Ben” while Alison Mills commented: “How many noticed the good old English 55p lb or 22p lb.” Vera Walton chipped in with “cheap veg ,great picture too.”
We shared the photograph both in the Sunderland Echo and on social media.
People who liked it online included Stacey Westray, Margaret Parmigiani, Dennis Cowans, David Newton, Tracey Gray, Andrew Soden, Muriel Dixon, Diane Dimmock and Christine McColl.
So did Pamela Jane Squire, Pat Carney, Valerie Tilley, Bernadette Gibson, Derek Baker, Christina Lawther, Joe Snr Russell, Laura Fleury Louis and Christine Ann Kitchen. Thanks to them all. Does anyone have the answer to Anthony McMullan’s question. He asked: “Wasn’t there a shop there
shirts? to rememseeing
from over the world in
there.”
If you know, email chris.cordner@jpress. co.uk.
Vicky Wheatley said: “that is a blast from the past,look how cheap the veg is.xxx” and Dione Clark commented: “Look at the prices lol x.” But Susan Palmer suggested: “Mind those melons seem expensive for 1984---- 55p !!!”
Rozalynd Boyd said: “Aah those were the days” while Clare Ashley commented: “I love this pix of me grandma nd grandad Tracy Tina x.”
Come rain or shine, the regular visitors to the market would have their favourite stalls and know stall holders by name.
And perhaps the favourite part for many was a visit to the sweet shop.
Paul Lusby said: “Used to walk through it on my dinner break from school” while Sarah Jane O’Neill said: “Loved the album stall.”
David Nicholson commented: “I made all the frames work for the stalls in Castletown for a small fabrication firm long gone now.”
Others to like the story included Estelle Fenwick, Moya Johnson, Allison Clarke, Linda Thompson, Sharon Greener, Donna Jones, Cath Haley and Bryony Crook.
So did Pat Wilkinson, Joyce Whitehead, Joyce Magnus Steabler, Wayne Browell, Joanne Moss, Scott Gibson, Joyce Hardy Hunter and Heather Smith.
Our thanks go to them all and we would love more of your market memories.
Were you a stall holder in the past? If so, what did you sell and how long did you have the stall for?
Or perhaps you were a customer who would like to reminisce on the wonderful array of goods you could buy.
Maybe there’s another aspect of Wearside history you would like to reflect on.
It could be anything from your old school to a restaurant or pub that you loved, and is no longer part of the city scene.
Perhaps there’s an event in Sunderland’s past you would like us to take another look at, or you may just want to share details of your family tree in the hope that an appeal through the Echo can help you to get further back into your ancestry.
Whatever the reason, if you have memories you would like to share, contact chris.cordner@jpress.co.uk and tell us all about it.