BRIAN Spencer dropped me a line about a popular business that others mentioned when talking around a recent photo. 


He wrote: “One of the shops pictured in the photograph was a family run fruit and veg business owned by the Waterworths.


“It must have been in the 1950s when they were relocated to the top of Bridge Street opposite what became Tyrers.


“The reason they had to move was to allow the expansion of Marks & Spencers. I don’t know of the other shops or what happened to them.

The new location for Waterworths was on the corner of the alleyway that ran alongside the old covered market to the open market and the old market hall.

The pub on the left was, I think, the Victoria. I remember as a schoolboy looking for bruised apples that had been discarded at the back of Waterworths.


“The story of the move to accommodate Marks & Spencers was told to me by Sir Alan Waterworth who was the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside from 1993 to 2006.

I met Alan on many occasions in my role as council leader and also when I was the chair of the St Helens Magistrates Advisory Committee.


“So, in answer to your question, the street is Church Street where Marks & Spencer is .”


- Contact chrispcoffey@gmail.com or 01744 817130 with your historical snippets.