Bygones: Ringing in changes down Bethlehem Street in 1890

NUMBERS 9 and 11 Bethlehem Street form the subject for this week's Then And Now, writes Dave Strickland.

The original view, taken on a rainy day in 1890, shows the premises of Melhuish Fish Merchant, which also dealt in game and poultry, complete with it's horse-drawn delivery cart. The name and information board seen above the curved doorway lintel, and advertising a daily supply of oysters, mentions that the company was already contactable by telephone!

Then: Melhuish Fish Merchants, in Bethlehem Street, Grimsby, in 1890. The young man holding the horse is John Henry Goodwin, the firm’s delivery boy. He lived in Lord Street.
Now: The same spot in Bethlehem Street, Grimsby, as it looks now.

In fact, by the 1890s the national telephone system had been on its first tentative feet for around 20 years.

On the right at number 7 is a store advertising Cadbury's chocolate products, again remarkable for being already in existence in the 1890s. In fact, Cadbury's produced its first chocolate bar as far back as 1847.

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Comparing the old view with today, the most interesting change is that Melhuish's premises, but only to the right of the curved lintel doorway, together with number 7, were demolished and replaced by taller structures, both of which now belong to John Barker's solicitors at 7 and 9 Bethlehem Street. The building date of 1929 is seen above number 9.

The surviving part of Melhuish's, number 11, still incorporates the same curved doorway and is now occupied by John Canter and Son, chartered surveyors.

Interestingly, a painted 1781 date is now seen on the wall above it, together with the initials WE.

The location of this part of Bethlehem Street is readily recognisable from the pub on the corner of Wellowgate on the right of the photograph.

Originally named the White Hart, it was known as the Coach House when this picture was taken, although it has now reverted back to its original name.