When businesses were sprining up in Southampton's Above Bar

The town's heart was being reshaped, rising from the rubble of its past.

Above Bar, a burgeoning commercial district, was a prime example of this post-war revitalisation.

The town suffered heavy bomb damage, leading to widespread destruction of infrastructure and housing.

This, coupled with economic hardship and the influx of refugees, created a difficult environment for recovery.

However, in 1954, new construction projects were springing up at an astonishing pace. 

Developers were investing substantial sums, pouring £1,000 per day into these ambitious endeavours. 

The result was a rapidly evolving cityscape, characterised by modern shops and office buildings that would soon become iconic landmarks.

Above Bar had a brand new feel in the 1950s. (Image: Echo)

The Daily Echo reported on this surge of activity, noting the widespread enthusiasm for the city's restoration. 

However, the newspaper also highlighted a disparity in development between Above Bar and High Street, where fewer businesses had been rebuilt.

Among the notable additions to Above Bar during this period were Stead and Simpson, Scullard's Hotel, Vernon and Tear, FW Woolworth, Saxone Shoe Company, Halifax Building Society, Phillips Character Shoes, and Milward and Son. 

These new establishments, along with many others, contributed to the revitalisation of the city centre and shaped Southampton's modern identity.

“Pride of place for the greatest volume of rebuilding belongs to the area of the corporation’s number four compulsory purchase order, which covers the ground between Hanover Buildings in the south and Pound Tree Road in the north,’’ said the Echo. 

Work starts on Bourne & Hollingsworth. August 1957. (Image: Echo)

“Here, probably before the end of 1954 will be seen a continuous and imposing block of shops which will be the cream of the Southampton shopping centre.’’ 

Other shops going up on the same large site were Timothy Whites, Warrens, Singer Sewing Machines, Sainsbury’s and MacFisheries, J Graham (Furnishers), H.Samuel and the second phase of the Woolworth store. 

Also going up were premises for the Cadena Café, H Lewis the tobacconists, L&H Jacobs the men’s outfitters, the Southern Daily Echo at 45, Above Bar, Freeman, Hardy and Willis, Halford Cycle Company, Parkhouse and Wyatt, Tyrrell and Green, James Woodhouse and Son. 

“In addition to this list must be added Gilbeys, wine merchants, who opened their new shop at 49, Above Bar upon vacating their old shop at the corner of Spa Road to make room for the Echo,’’ reported the newspaper. 

“Soon the old Gilbeys will be demolished for the third phase of the large L-shaped offices of Southern Newspapers.

 “Providing nothing untoward occurs on the national front in 1954, the building programme is confidently expected to progress as rapidly as in 1953.’’