Shops In Barking

Hi Judith I remember all the things you have mentioned I think Wade and Pollard was near the Library opposite the police station I remember Simons he started with his gear in a white van if I'm right near where Barking baptist Tabernacle was I haven't been to Barking town for years I go every other week to the cemetery but I live on Canvey Island and I don't like the A13 when the traffic builds up so I come straight home again!Carole Jordan lloyd

Sadly Pollards went bankrupt some years ago. At one time they had over 60 shops. I seem to remember that after Simon had his stall he opened a shop opposite the old library.
I think there were two indoor markets in the town - Blakes & Broadway. I think the Broadway market ran from behind the old Gaumont? cinema and came out in The Broadway. Can't remember where Blakes market was. Can anyone help? I also remember the row of shops along North Street in front of the Abbey ruins. There used to be a barber shop there nearly opposite the pub on the corner (the Bull?). As a boy I had to have my short back & sides haircut, and us small boys had to sit on a plank placed across the arms of the barber's chair. There used to be at least 3 barbers there and there was always a queue of men waiting their turn

Brent & Collins the menswear shop just along from Bulleys,there was a fruit and veg stall in a gap between the two shops.Wish I could turn the clock back.

I was born in Barking in 1948 and went to Ripple School and then to Park Modern School. I married and moved to Canada in 1979. I have just come back from Barking after a visit with my brother. I was very saddened to see the demise of Barking but I enjoyed visiting some neighbours who were there when I grew up. There are still some good things about Barking the Park is still lovely and has a very nice little coffee shop and their are boats on the lake. There is a new steak restaurant opposite St. Margarets Church where I was married and I believe a new Boathouse cafe down by the Creek. I remember Blakes Market and the Broadway market where you could buy jellied eels which my mum enjoyed and listen to tunes of the 50s. I hope Barking can return to a nicer, cleaner and better town one day. The locals deserve it especially the older ones who have lived there all their lives and seen how it has gone down. It used to be a place for people to enjoy now people don't want to visit it from other towns.

Ripple in 52-57 Park modern 57-62. Moral of your memories is" never go back". I keep thinking about it, but love my memories as they are. Loved Barking park, living in Wilmington gardens. Mum and dad ran the cubs and scouts, so I spent my childhood involved in this. I loved all the wonderful buildings, the station, library, swimming pool, cinema and most of all Woolworths and the markets.

Hiya Ian. Blakes Market was on East Street, just around the corner from Ripple Road, on the south side of East Street between Blakes Corner and the old town hall. It was a U-shaped market with a couple of shops on East Street between the two entrances/exits. The cinema you mention was the Capitol, part of the ABC group. And yes, Broadway Market ran along the back of it, just as you described. I loved wandering through it, smelling the cough candy and seeing rabbits hanging from hooks. My primary school was just across the street alongside the Curfew Tower.

"Mum and dad ran the cubs and scouts" I was a cub in the 9th Barking pack, which met in St Margarets Church Hall right opposite my home at 108 Ripple Road: B Wallis & Son undertakers. Later, I joined the sea scouts as I preferred the uniform and messing about in boats on the River Roding. We probably have common memories of the annual jamboree that took place somewhere near Chigwell Row,

I lived in waverley gardens and worked in farmers butchers also auctioneer butchers and end of market opp church. Had lots of mates Joan benefield Johnny warren the Barnards hocktons Taylor's

Great memories.I worked in the market in the 50s for farmers butchers and the auctioneer butchers at end of market opp church. And 3 other butchers in Barking. Lived in Waverley gardens behind volunteer pub and had lots of mates in Barking drunk in every pub and we all had a wonderful time in late 50s early 60s