Nostalgic memories of Longton's local history

Share your own memories of Longton and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying all 7 Memories

I remember Longton with great affection. I was manager of both the Focus Cinema in Market Street and the Royal on Anchor Road. When my boss came down on a weekly visit he would treat me to lunch at the Dorothy Cafe by the railway station. I always had steak and kidney pie which was delicious! The Royal became a bingo hall and I closed the Focus which was demolished for an office block. When they pulled down the ...see more
Our gt uncle Edward Cope Statham, born in Barrow in Furness, was a licensed game butcher in Longton. He is on the 1901 census, aged 24, as lodging in Trentham Road so don't know if the shop was there too but we do have a photo of him outside his shop. However on February 7th 1903 he was found dead and it was thought to be suicide at first but on investigation the police decided that was impossible and it ...see more
Hi! I was born in Meir 1934,and all my mother's family lived in Longton (Worsdale). My Uncle Frank had "The Studio" pub in Commerce Street, and, later, "The Studio Snackery". I've lots of great memories of Smith's Crisps,and Vimto the soft drink. I recall that myself and my friend, William Tranter (Billy) once carried a full sized pub skittle from Commerce Street to Catchem's Corner, where we lived. We could ...see more
I have been told that my grandfather and great-grandfather had a business at Longton as coopers and crate-makers for the potteries. This business ceased I believe in the 1950s but would have been running from the late 1800s to that date. I cannot find any details of this business and have only been told that it was run from Longton. Any information would be appreciated as I am in the ...see more
Barbara Johnson's memories brought back some of my own from the High Street days. Those rows of shops Barbara describes provided all the locals with everything they needed. I remember going over the road from the off-licence we ran for a meat and potato pie from 'aunt' Sarah's, going for haircuts at Billy Goodwin's barbers (right up till the middle '50s), fish and chips from MacLaughlin's ...see more
Running parallel at the back of this church [St James] runs High street, where I was born as generations of my family were. The two pot banks on the right represent a fraction of the "Belcher's" that existed in Longton in the 30s/4os, they dominated everyone who lived amongst them with their endless stream of black smoke belching six days a week and covering all the buildings with soot and dirt. Night time brought ...see more
I was born in Longton in 1933 at 151 High Street Post Office, Longton. All my childhood was spent there with my grandmother, Sarah Wright and my great aunt Matilda Ward (my grandmother's sister). Between them they ran the Post Office until the middle years of the Second World War. Before it was a Post Office, my great grandfather William Ward had a tailoring business there, from 1871 ...see more