Shops - General
Mid twentieth century Dimond Street.
By the end of the twentieth century, the town's commercial
centre had gradually moved east. Traditional shops attract
business in the Dimond Street area, while four new supermarkets
- Asda, Lidl, Kwiksave and Tesco - have developed near London
Road.
Picture from Valentine's postcard.
Bush Street from Albion Square direction and from the east
in both views, trees in the background mark St. John's churchyard. Cambria House (restored 2001-
2002) is on the corner beyond Lipton's
Dimond Street
Pictures by courtesy Tenby Museum & Art Gallery.
Shops -
Some shopping areas in old postcards
Shops - Businessmen
Albion House, in 1837, stood on the site of today's Albion Square car park. Its owner Mr Dawkins
was a draper, "a businessman to his fingertips, shrewd and abstemious". When the builder
explained a frame around the shop's name would cost an extra half crown (12 p) , Mr Dawkins
protested, "A half crown? I'll save it!" Pictures of the shop - now demolished - bear out this story.
Note the unframed name.
Many early businessmen contributed substantially to Council activities and public life in the town.
William Trewent, for example, was the first School Board treasurer. Samuel Allen the
photographer encouraged the establishment of the Meyrick Hospital. William Phillips, a coal
merchant, started a series of the Market Hall Eisteddfods.
Pembroke Dock's Chamber of Commerce dates from 1882.
(Sources: Mason 75, 104-111, 136; Peters 67-8; ) Picture reproduced by by courtesy of owner.
Shops - Early street traders
Nineteenth century street sellers, and sometimes shopkeepers, called out special offers on "taters", fish, rabbits, cockles,
shrimps and watercress. An elderly milkman, Jimmy Moy, dressed in "broad flapping hat and white smock shirt", did his
early morning rounds shouting out "mi ... lk oh!". Milk was carried in two cans, slung from a wooden yolk across the
milkman's shoulders. A pie seller offered strollers along Commercial Row,
"Pies, pies, all 'ot
Come and see what I've got !"
From his basket, meat pies cost twopence, fruit pies a penny..
(Sources: Peters, Sidelights on streets ...)
Shops - Later developments
.
By the end of the twentieth century, the town's commercial centre
had gradually moved east. Traditional shops attract business in the
Dimond Street area, while four new supermarkets - Asda, Lidl,
Kwiksave and Tesco - have developed near London Road.
Picture from Valentine's postcard.
Mid twentieth century Dimond Street
Shops -
Bill-heads
Stationery for bills and receipts had attractive and
sometimes intricate headings. This selection is from
Pembroke Dock businesses between about 1850 and 1930
Stationery for bills and receipts had attractive and sometimes intricate
headings.
This selection is from Pembroke Dock businesses between about 1850 and
1930
Shops - Co-operative shopping, ancient & modern
Sharing profits with customers has been a guiding principle of the Co-op
movement - . "dividends" are still paid . Pembroke Dock's first purpose built Co-
op was in Albion Square. Its opening, in 1893, featured a procession through
town. At an evening meeting in the Temperance Hall, three mottos were
displayed:
In all things, charity
In things essential, unity
In things doubtful, liberty.
The Co-op moved in the later twentieth century to newer premises in Gordon
street, Dimond Street and, finally, near Water Street. After more than a century
in the town, the Co-op closed in 2005. The Water Street building now houses the
Asda supermarket.
In 2004, Pembroke Dock Co-op customers
used plastic dividend cards
y
Pembroke Dock Co-op bread delivery cart by the Bird in
Hand Lewis Street c 1910
(Sources: Scott, Proud record...; PT 1 Jun 1893)
Pictures by courtesy of: dividend card, Pembroke Dock Co-op (2004) - trade tokens, Pembrokeshire County Council Museum Service - bread delivery cart, Mr Phil Carradice
Many years ago customers were given metal
trade tokens
Pembroke Dock Chamber of Trade Document dated April 15th 1889
(AJ Catswebcom 2018)
(AJ Catswebcom 2018)
(AJ Catswebcom 2018)
(Amendment, updates and additions) (AJ) Anndra Johnstone
This site is designed, published and hosted by CatsWebCom Community Services © 2018 part of Pembroke Dock Web Project