~ Gallery - Shops ~
Zoar Street, Gornal Wood
Zoar Street leads upwards from Gornal Wood into Temple Street, it has a mixture of shops, dwellings and other premises including Redhall School.
A few relatively modern shops remain today at the lower end of the street, and there are still many older terraced houses on the upper part.
The street takes its name from the nearby Zoar chapel.
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The Co-op, Gornal Library and Harris Home Brew.
The Harris family homebrew business was established in 1976, and the landmark sign signals your approach to Gornal Village, the shop now spreads across several properties, and caters for a long established tradition in Gornal for home brewing.
1900.
The building in the foreground, was purpose built for the Dudley Co-operative Society at a cost £2400 to design and build and was the Societies thirteenth branch.
The foundation stone was laid in May 1900 and it was opened on the 2nd of March, 1901.
The Co-op building was said to be the first store with a drapery department, it then comprised of the two shops, a managers house, offices and a meeting hall.
The buildings and shop frontage extended around the corner into Redhall Road, the outline of bricked up windows and on the left, what would have been the entrance to the yard for the carts and later 'floats' which would have delivered milk around the district.
The Dudley Co-operative store existed in Gornal before the new Zoar Street branch, the old premises is listed in Kelly's Trade Directory for 1896 with Richard Emmings as Branch Manager, and in the 1892 directory Dudley Co-op address was 13 Church Street, the Co-op also probably occupied what was later to become the carpet shop on the opposite side of the street, Emmings was still listed as the Co-op manager in 1904 & 1912.
Subsequently, Dudley Library opened a branch in Gornal using the premises occupying the corner plot, the Co-op continued to use the lower shop for a short while.
Lower Gornal Library moved to a new purpose built building in Abbey Street in the early 1980s, shortly after the Co-op closed.
A modern Co-operative food store has been established on Dibdale Road West.
The last of the Dudley Co-operative branches was opened in The Parade, Kent Street, Upper Gornal on the 15th February, 1971.
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The following businesses were trading in Zoar Street in 1911 [Census] & 1912 [Kelly's Trade Directory]
7. Joseph Wasdell, shopkeeper.
Probably a greengrocer; in the 1911 census he is described as market gardener and trading from No. 7.
14: Sidney Marsh, butcher. (At No.14 in 1911 census).
20. William H. Wise, (rates collector), Urban District Council (highway rates)
At No.20 in 1915 [Elect. Register].
23. Joseph Hale, hairdresser.
In 1901 described as hairdresser and umbrella maker at this address. [Census]
24. B. Powney & Co., Printers.
Benjamin Powney was trading as a jobbing letterpress printer from No.24 in 1911. [Census]
40. Emanual Hickman, greengrocer. [Census]
44. Sarah Ann Beddard, china dealer.
In the 1911 census she was widowed, described as a general dealer at No. 44 Zoar Street, her Sons Granville and Joseph were 'hawkers'.
46: Arthur Davies, Confectioner.
Arthur Ernest Davies is described as mechanic & cycle agent living at No.46. [Census])
Richard Hemmings (Manager), Dudley Co-operative Society.
49. J. Jones & Son, clothiers & boot makers.
John & Annie Jones were living at No.49 and their ocupation as boot dealers.
In 1901 described as boot dealer and clothier. [Census]
The following businesses were among those trading in Zoar Street in 1916 [Kelly's Trade Directory]
Dudley Cooperative Society.
44. Sarah Ann Beddard, china dealer.
Arthur Davies, confectioner.
Joseph Hale, hair dresser.
J. Jones & Son, clothiers & boot makers.
Benjamin Parkes, furniture dealer.
B. Powney & Co., printers.
Mrs Alice Pyatt, grocer.
Joseph Wasdell, shopkeeper.
The following businesses were among those trading in Zoar Street in 1921 [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1913: February 18th. Part of sale of the Estate of the late Mr Emmanual Bradley.

LOT 2
Number 24 and 25 Zoar Street.
  TWO most substantial FREEHOLD RETAIL SHOPS and DWELLING HOUSES with ample living accommodation, large covered Cartway Entrance, two Stables and Lofts, and good area of Land; one let to Mr Powney, Printer, upon an Annual Tenancy, and the other to Mr. Bunn, Chemist, upon lease having nearly eleven years unexpired, the present Annual Income ammounting to £32 10s., tennants paying rates.
  This lot is one of the best Business Streets and should prove a fine investment
44. Sarah Ann Beddard, china dealer.
Dudley Cooperative Society.
Samuel Bunn, drysalter.
Arthur Davies, confectioner.
Joseph Hale, hair dresser.
J. Jones & Son, clothiers & boot makers.
William Marsh, shopkeeper.
Benjamin Parkes, furniture dealer.
Edward Pyatt, grocer.
Annie Wasdell (Miss), shopkeeper.
The following businesses were among those trading in Zoar Street in 1924 [Kelly's Trade Directory]
7. Harry Waldron, butcher.
8. Wilfred Evans, draper.
44. Sarah Ann Beddard (Mrs), china dealer.
Dudley Cooperative Society.
Samuel Bunn, drysalter.
Susan Cash, shopkeeper.
Arthur Ernest Davies, motor engineer.
Joseph Hale, hairdresser.
Frederick Pearce, butcher.
J. Jones & Son, clothiers.
Edward Pyatt, grocer.
The following businesses were among those trading in Zoar Street in 1928. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
7. Harry Waldron, pork butcher.
8. Wilfred Evans, draper.
13. Higgs & Sons, solicitors (attends Tuesday & Friday).
24. Frederick Pearce, butcher.
44. Granville Beddard, china dealer.
48-49. J. Jones & Son, clothiers.
Samuel Bunn, shopkeeper.
Lower Gornal Working Men's Club & Institute (John Hemmings Hon. Sec.).
Susan Cash, shopkeeper.
Arthur Ernest Davies, motor engineer.
Dudley Co-operative Society (branch).
Joseph Hale, hairdresser.
The following businesses were among those trading in Zoar Street in 1936. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
8. Wilfred Evans, draper.
24. William Harris, butcher.
44. Granville Beddard, china dealer.
46. Isaac Southall, hairdresser.
48-49. J. Jones & Son, clothiers.
50. William Marsh, greengrocer.
Joseph Hale, hairdresser.
Alan J.R. Hickling, drug store.
Lower Gornal Working Men's Club & Institute (Arthur Moss, Hon. Sec.).
J.A. Vinrace Sproson Ltd., grocers.
The following businesses were trading in Zoar Street in 1940 [Kelly's Trade Directory]
8. Wilfred Evans, draper.
1939: Irene Evans (Homer) was millener & draper. [Register]
12. Barclays Bank Ltd.
21. Joshua Jones, Undertaker.
This property remained as J.R. Jones undertakers up until 1996 when they moved to the Five Ways (ex-Five Ways Inn), Lake Street.
23. Frances Hale, (Miss) ladies hairdresser.
Joseph Hale was a hairdresser at this address in the 1911 Census.
1939: Edith F. Hale, ladies hairdresser. [Register] {Edith Frances was probably the daughter of Joseph Hale.]
44. Granville Beddard, china dealer.
Granville was the son of Sarah Ann Beddard trading earlier from the same premises.
1939. He was described as a "General dealer (Hawker) Household goods, [Register].
46. Isaac Southall, hairdresser.
48-49. J. Jones & Son, clothiers.
50. William Marsh, grocer.
Lawtons 1960s advert.
Shops trading in the 1950s-1960s...
21. J. Jones, funeral directors.
25. Lawtons, ladies, gentlemen's and children's outfitters.
1980s onwards the proprietor was William (Bill) Davies, trading as 'Bills Carpets'.
44. P. Attwood, confectioners, frozen foods, cooked meats, chocolates, cigarettes, ice cream.
Zoar Street, recent activity timeline.
1982 advert: 8 Zoar Street.
7/8 Zoar Street
2019-2023: Hope House Springs Church Community HQ.
1991-2008: CHN Heating & Plumbing.
1980s: Rene Evans, clothes shop.
21 Zoar Street
2000 >: Private dwelling.
1997-2000: Bingham & Sons, monumental masons
1963-1996: J.R.Jones, undertakers.
1982 advert: J R Jones.
23 Zoar Street
-1962-: Ladies hairdressers.
25 Zoar Street
2022-Present: Millbrook Windows, double glazing sales.
2015-2022: Tranquil Bathrooms, bathroom showroom.
1980s-2010: Bills Carpets, carpet shop.
-1978: Homebrew Shop.
1974?: Home Unit, fitted wardrobes & kitchens.
-1966-: Lawtons Ladies & Gents Outfitters, clothes shop.
42-43 Zoar Street
1978-Present: Harris Filters.
1982 advert: 48 Zoar Street.
45 Zoar Street
1981-Present: Dental practice.
47 Zoar Street
2022-: Vacant.
2004-2021: Bargains 4 U, charity shop.
1973-1974: D.H.Hamp, carpets & flooring.
1972-1979: Oakwood Engineering.
1961 advert: 48 Zoar Street.
43A Zoar Street
1986-1994: Zoar Ceramics & Yarns, later Knitting Machine Centre.
48/49 Zoar Street
2010-Present: Accountancy services.
2006-2010: CHN Contractors-plumbing & heating contractors.
1976-: W.J.Warren, estate agents
1980s-2004: Furniture shop.
1968-1982: Bond House for Bargains, furniture shop.
1961-1967: The Dimmock Furniture Co.
49C Zoar Street
1996-Present: Barbers shop.
1986-1995: Khalil Opticians.
1966-1971-: R.T. Knight, opticians.
Not confirmed this was at the above premises.
50 Zoar Street
1995-Present: Spices, indian takeaway.
1982-: Gas Showroom.
1958-1966: Barclays Bank.
1920s-1950s: William Marsh, grocer.
1939: William Marsh, wholesale fruiterer. [Register]
Many old shop properties have reverted into private dwellings.
50 Zoar Street (Barclays).
Reproduced with permission of Barclays Group Archives
1928, Sale notice, Dudley News.
The Estate of the late Emanuel Hickman.
50, ZOAR STREET, LOWER GORNAL.
  A soundly-constructed, brick-built and tile-roofed RETAIL SHOP and DWELLING HOUSE, containing - Shop, 14ft. 2in. by 14ft. 2in.; Sitting Room. Two large Bedrooms, Box Room, Cellar and Verandah to well-fitted Kitchen. In large yard having an unbuilt upon frontage and with double gateway entrance approach are Scullery, Two-stall Stable, with Loft above, brick-built and slate-roof Stores, Pig Stye, and usual conveniencies, as let to Mr. William Marsh at a rental producing a gross annual income of £33 16s.
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