#065

We have the occasional request for something beyond Ilford and in our collection a snap of Collier Row Road drew us back there to have a look at what's changed over 35 years. Collier Row is named after a 15th century practice which took place in the area owing to its abundance of trees. Collier Row Road is the main commercial thoroughfare through the town, which sits north of Romford in the London Borough of Havering. Like any commercial locality, businesses come and go but some have stood the test of time. With special thanks to the staff at Keys & Lee estate agents for providing information in this episode.

[@syncout]

there used to be a pub called the charcol burner back in the 70s off lodge lane

[@IlfordRetro]

Thanks @syncout Nice to have these added bits of information, keeping the memory alive of the places which have long since disappeared

[@adrianharper1535]

You don’t go quite far enough. We lived at 27a flat on top of toy shop then Tandy……grew up here from 3 until I was 8. Then up the hill to hillrise estate.

[@IlfordRetro]

Tandy - there's a name I'd like to feature one day. It's a shame our photo doesn't quite capture your old flat but it's nice that your memories of that time are still vivid.

[@peterb514]

As a kid I cycled from home in Chigwell to Rory O’Brien’s cycle shop in North Street, Romford. Dunno if it’s still there but there was a cinema just off the roundabout that became a Tesco.

[@IlfordRetro]

A decent ride for a kid. I remember Rory O'Brien's, good cycle shop and closed down far too soon. The Tesco is still there and at least the deco architecture of the cinema remains - a nice nod to the past.

[@jacqueline3297]

I always wondered what happened to 7-11. Never knew that Londis bought them out. I remember there was one in Gants hill on the roundabout opposite Iceland. We used to pile in there after School as teenagers. We used to love it!

[@IlfordRetro]

Great memories Jacqueline, where would we be without the 7-11 (or other such shop) to raid on our way home?!

[@TheSpuds349]

That must of been one of the last red 252s as they were taken over by frontrunner buses in 1988 and became Green buses

[@IlfordRetro]

You're spot-on with that. I remember thinking I must get a shot of it before the changeover.

[@jeffreykenny988]

I guess it must have been taken before 3rd September that year, which is when Frontrunner took over the 252 route. They didn't last long though, as it was reassigned to Ensign Buses from 1st July 1989.

[@IlfordRetro]

@@jeffreykenny988 you are bang on; and thanks for the additional info on reassignment to Ensign