A busy day in the centre of Newcastle
GRAINGER STREET: THEN AND NOW
THE Chronicle has countless photographs of Grainger Street in its archive - and we never get tired of looking at them.
Today’s main image is another from our extensive collection - and it’s a beauty.
The pavements of the Newcastle street are packed with shoppers all seemingly well-dressed - while a tram trundles in the distance.
Which of us would not wish to step back in time - even for a while - and enjoy a wander here, finishing off with a cuppa at the Grainger Tea Rooms?
Our picture has little information with it but, judging by the style of the clothing, we reckon it dates from the first decade of the last century.
It was a time of relative peace and slowly improving prosperity as Newcastle emerged as one of the boom towns of the British Empire.
Notice how, compared to the sand-blasted 2018 view, the buildings 100 years ago are black with the soot and grime of Tyneside’s smoky heavy industries.
The popular King Edward VII was on the throne - and Newcastle United were the finest team in the land.
The Magpies were three times league title winners and five times FA Cup finalists between 1905 and 1911. Imagine that!
Meanwhile, in the centre of the picture, is the Newcastle shopping institution, Isaac Walton and Co.
In later decades, generations of children would get their school uniforms at the prestigious clothing store.
The name had well established roots in Newcastle. It dated back to 1887 when its first store opened on Grainger Street.
Over the years, the business occupied three different sites on Grainger Street offering men’s fashion and tailoring.
Our third image shows the display window at Isaac Walton’s around 1950.
In an era of much simpler tastes, long before the arrival of designer wear and the preoccupation with brands, the store proudly proclaims some of the items of clothing it has on sale handkerchiefs, pyjamas, boys’ stockings and underwear.
A sign in the neatly-designed window reads ‘In the circle of quality’.
Different times. Different priorities.
Today, from its Westgate Road base, Isaac Walton Tailoring delivers bespoke, top-end tailoring.