Readers memories of Morley Street 'Offy'

Judging by the warm-hearted responses that poured afterwards it is clear that this outdoor was a hugely popular fixture of that tightly-knit community in the shadow of Lowe House Church.

After this section of street and the off-licence were demolished, the new houses Russet Close were built in its place.

Family members, whose parents and grand parents had the licence before it finally closed, shared their happy memories.

And former residents of those lower sections of Oxford Street, Morley Street, Stanhope Street and Argyle Street, which were cleared in the middle of the 80s recounted happy days beer and sweets from what was locally called “The offy”.

Christine Kay’s parents Vera and Jimmy Thompson were the last occupants of the "offy" as it was affectionately called.

She wrote: “Vera was very much loved by everyone who came into the shop, especially the kids for their 1 penny trays and other goodies.

“We are a big family and some of my sisters often helped out behind the counter.

“It was a real part of the community and a foretaste of the modern day off licences.

“My husband was made redundant and we opened our first off licence in 1979...The Winebibber..based on how Mum ran her business...and we loved the community spirit these places evoked...happy days.”

One of her sisters, Sheila Henshall, echoed that.

She said: “It was my Mum and Dad’s off licence at the time this picture was taken and I was still living there!

"Was so sad to see all those communities gone forever but I have lots of happy memories of living in ‘The Offy.’ "

The families of other former licensees also got in touch.

They included former Saints player Peter Harvey, who wrote: “My mother held the licence there for a few years after my dad left The Rifle Corp in Duke Street.”

His son Simon Harvey shared plenty of happy memories and gave a good insight into its workings, tweeting: “My Grandma and Grandad, Cathy and Peter Harvey, ran this off licence. Very late 60s early 70s, as I remember decimalisation coming in!

“Also they had the first electronic calculator that I'd ever seen too! Great memories!

“They must have done well, as I remember they had a thousand pounds in cash to take to the bank on one of my visits. I'd never seen anything like it! That's a lot of penny Daintys!..... I was only 5 or 6!

“I would go on Friday evenings and Sundays. People used to come in with jugs and their own bottles to fill up with ale. All shapes and sizes, so I've no idea how they were charged!”

Other family members from past licensees also got in touch.

Marian Burrows wrote: “My mum's off licence happy memories Xx”

Toni Louise Harrison: “This was my great grandparents off-licence Teddy Evans and Ethel, my nanny talks about it all the time xx.”

Tracy Moran said: “My nanny and grandad had this for years my mum and her brothers were born in there, their surname was Evans.”

It was a popular haunt for customer Dave Wilson, who still lives at the top end of Morley Street which survived.

“We used to go to the off licence regularly,” he said.

“You could often get tick and pay at the end of the week.

“My dad used get those cans of Greenalls bitter that you opened with a bottle opener, pushing two openings in the can. Think it had about three pints in it.

“We’d buy Cambrian pop and Golden Wonder crisps and 1p tray selection of sweets.

“How things have changed?”

Lots of readers shared their memories on our Facebook page.

Helen Chisnall wrote: “Years ago my Nan used to live on the corner of Windle Street and Morley Street, she used to send us to get her a gill of bitter in her pewter jug. Seems so long ago now.”

Ian Fishwick added: “Yes I remember it well. I used to go with my dad and mum on a Saturday night, drop mum off at Evelins chippy with our plates then go the Offy with my old man.

“We lived in Chorley Street number 23 (one of the few still standing)..brill days.”

A number of readers left comments on the end of the story.

Effjetski wrote: “I think the shopkeepers name for many years was Ethel - a good friend of my gran who popped over the road for a gill of stout in her pewter mug every night.”

Don Bigote commented: “Mrs Evans ran it for many years followed by Mrs Thompson. I remember being sent to buy Indian Brandy which was supposed to settle a bad stomach? Used to go and buy dad's cigs before the strict rules came in.”

Vivienne Thompson: “My mum and dad, Jimmy and Vera Thompson had the off licence in the 70's and 80's. Happy days..”

JanEv wrote: “My husband John Evans was born in the outdoor. His mum Ethel had it for years and his Grandmother Eliza Peel was the licensee before her.”