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Abbey Street, Gornal Wood.
Abbey Street is often mixed up with nearby Abbey Road, the street had a few commercial premises, but mainly private dwellings.
In the 1911 Census, most of the homes were occupied by miners and their womenfolk were often dressmakers or engaged in similar trades.
Corner shop in Abbey Street.

Photo CDM 2014

No. 40: The above premises shown here as 'Cherubs' baby clothes shop, traded as 'Jacques' general store during the 1970s-1980s, previous to this, it was a clothes shop.
Presently not used for retail.
The prominent corner shop at the junction of Abbey Street and New Street.

Photo CDM 2014

1942 advert for Marsh's shoe shop.
The above corner shop at the junction with New Street was Marsh's shoe shop for a long period.
Isaac Marsh was listed in Kelly's 1912 Directory as a shoe maker, New Street, probably trading from this same shop.
It continued to trade as a shoe shop until the early 1980s, and after which was used for packaging supplies and storage, proprietor Robert Howarth until around 2011, use after this time is not known.
Abbey Street and Abbey Road would have taken their name from the Abbey Farm, the old brick-built farmhouse which occupied a plot near the Junction of the two roads, the farm house was also known as the 'Old Abbey'
There is no evidence of an Abbey ever being in the vicinity.
Abbey Farm was demolished in the 1960s and only a small section of its perimeter stone wall remains at the side of the pavement, the new Gornal library was built on the land, the library opened in 1981.
A recreation ground 'The Rec' just off Abbey Street would have been part of the farmland of Abbey Farm, Abbey Colliery operated here in the 19th century.
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1911. [Census]
24. Joseph Harris, hay & straw dealer.
40. Herbert Hickman, clothier and draper.
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1912. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
2. Joseph Bowyer, Butcher.
At Nr.3 in the 1911 census, Joseph Richard Bowyer described himself as master butcher.
Joseph Bowyer at No.3 in 1893. [Elect. Register]
Generations of this family butchers business traded in Gornal since 1865 and the shop continued until very recent times.
   Rueben Burrows, greengrocer.
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1916. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
3. Joseph Richard Bowyer.
11. Arthur Flavell, shopkeeper.
Frederick Bassett, hairdresser.
Herbert Hickman, draper.
Dennis Hill, oilman.
John Massey, draper.
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1921. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
3. Joseph Richard Bowyer, butcher.
11. Arthur Flavell, shopkeeper.
14. Herbert Hickman, draper.
Joseph Hill, oilman.
John Massey, draper.
Frederick Bassett, hairdresser.
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1924. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
3. Joseph Richard Bowyer, butcher.
4. John Box, shopkeeper.
14. Arthur Flavell, shopkeeper.
15. James Jones, newsagent.
18. Harold Walter Green, chemist.
24. Joseph Harris, potato merchant.
36. Raybould & Wardle, drapers.
Frederick Bassett, hairdresser.
Herbert Hickman, draper.
Arthur Massey, draper.
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1928. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
3. Joseph Richard Bowyer, butcher.
4. Bert Box, haulage contractor.
4. John Box, shopkeeper.
14. Arthur Flavell, shopkeeper.
15. James Jones, shopkeeper.
18. Percy G. Richardson, chemist.
24. Joseph Harris, potato merchant.
36. Harriet Wardle (Mrs), draper.
Frederick Bassett, hairdresser.
Arthur Massey, draper.
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1936. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
3. J.R. Bowyer & Sons, butchers.
4. Bert Box, haulage contractor.
4. John Box, shopkeeper.
13. Higgs & Sons, solicitors (attends).
14. Arthur Flavell, shopkeeper.
15. Mary Jones, shopkeeper.
18. Percy G. Richardson, chemist.
24. Bert Harris, potato dealer.
33. Joseph W. Flavell, shopkeeper.
36. Harriett Wardle (Mrs), draper.
40. Reginald V. Willets, butcher.
Herbert Hickman, draper.
Frederick Bassett, hairdresser.
18. 1926, Harold Walter Green, chemist and druggist. [Deeds of Arrangement]
The following businesses were among those trading in Abbey Street in 1940. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
4. John Box, shopkeeper.
5. J. R. Bowyer & Sons, butchers.
15. Mary Jones (Miss), shopkeeper.
This was a newsagents from 1905 to 1968 when it reverted to a private dwelling.
In 1942 Mary Jones married Wilfred Haden, and both ran the family newsagents from this shop.
Demolished along with several buildings on the West side of Abbey Street in the 1977 clearance.
18. Percy G. Richardson, chemist.
This shop stood on the corner with Brook Street, facing towards Summer Lane.
It was a cobbler's shop in the 1960s, and was demolished in the 1970s.
33. Joseph Flavell, shopkeeper.
36. Harriet Wardle (Mrs), draper.
Advert c1968
Joseph 'Joe' Guests barber's shop.
37. Reginald V. Willetts, butcher.
 [now private residence]
40. Jones Brothers, wireless apparatus dealers.
Shops trading in the 1950s-1960s...
4.  H & H Turf Accountants - prop. Elsie M. Harper <1968.
15. Jones', newspaper shop, closed in 1968.
39. J. W. Guest, ladies and gents hair stylist, <1980.
Many buildings on the west side of Abbey Street - similar style to the terraced houses opposite were demolished in 1977.
In 1986, Cwerne Court was built along here with 26 flats for sheltered housing and retirement homes.
Apart from the cluster of shops near the junction, Abbey Street is now mainly residential.
3 Abbey Street (left), 4a & 4 Abbey Street (right).
In the foreground - a section of Gornal Stone walling
2022
Abbey Street, recent activity timeline...
2 Abbey Street
2024-Present: Day-Today, convenience store.
2023; closed.
2010-2023: Gornal Fryer, fish & chip shop.
2000-2010: Sam's Chippy, fish & chip shop.
1990-2023: Junction Fish Bar, fish & chip shop.
2A Abbey Street
-2013-Present: LD Communications, mobile phone and computer shop.
1970s-1990s: Mary's, fish and chip shop.
3 Abbey Street
2010-Present: Rory's, hair and beauty shop.
2000-2009: Alan Whittle, butchers shop.
1963-2000: J.R. Bowyer & Sons, butchers shop.
4A Abbey Street
2020-Present: Junction Depot, convenience store.
1980s-2010: 'Arthur's', cobblers shop.
Save & Sew advert: 1982
Cinderella's advert: 2013
4 Abbey Street
2018-Present: Mowgli's, dog and pet grooming.
2010-2018: Paws & Claws, dog grooming and pet supplies.
1992-2010: NP Computer Repairs and Sales.
-1979-: Central Vending Services.
1963-1968: H & H Turf Accountants, betting office.
37 Abbey Street
1980s-2006: Timmis & Sons, butchers shop.
39 Abbey Street
1980s: Save & Sew, haberdashery shop.
40 Abbey Street
2017-: Vacant or non-retail.
2014-2016: Cherubs, baby clothes store.
-2014: Vacant shop.
-2013-: Cinderella's, clothes shop.
1970s-1980s: Jacques, general store (Henry Jacques).
1960s: Clothes shop.
~

this aye fur noggin yeds