There is plenty of action in this 1920’s downtown scene at the intersection of Argyle Street with the junction of Jamaica Street and Union Street. Tramcars are clattering across the intersection in both directions and a woman is racing across the path of approaching car 571. The passengers seated in the open balconies of these tramcars would have a grandstand view of the action. Near the corner of Union Street with Argyle Street is a branch of R.S. McColl’s, the newsagency and confectioners founded in 1901 by the legendary Scotland centre forward Bobby McColl and his brother Tom. Above McColl’s are the City Hairdressing Rooms and the Argyle Hotel. I have seen a used example of this postcard dated 10 June, 1925, so the photograph may have been taken in 1924 or early 1925. ( Anonymous publisher )
This photo was taken a few years earlier than the one above and is a little further down Jamaica Street. The Drooko sign on the left is indicative of “Royal Drooko” umbrellas which were made in Glasgow. The word Drooko is probably derived from drookit, the auld Scots word for drenched. ( This postcard has an E. A. Schwerdtfeger code but does not carry the name so it was probably reissued after 1914. The printing on the back is in blue. )
This 1923 scene photographed from the intersection with Argyle Street shows the full extent of Union Street up to the Gordon Street crossing with Renfield Street beyond. In the foreground on the right are the City Hairdressing Rooms and the Argyle Hotel while at street level is R. S. McColl’s. A short distance up on the opposite side of the street is J. & A. Ferguson, renowned as a purveyor of cured meats, baked goods, rich desserts, chocolates, and fine coffees and teas. It was apparently described as the Fortnum’s of Scotland and occupied this location until early 1980’s. There was a restaurant in the store where we would stop for coffee during our Saturday morning shopping outings. My parents were particularly fond of the signature caramel walnuts. I preferred the solid milk chocolate frogs. The taller building further up Union Street is part of Glasgow Central Station, the principal Caledonian Railway terminus, which became incorporated into the newly formed London Midland & Scottish Railway at the beginning of 1923. ( Valentine’s X. L. Series )
People are queuing for their southbound trams at the Union Street fare stage in this mid-1920’s scene. The store on the right, at 14-22 Union Street, is Shaw, Walker & Co. Ltd, the City Ironmongery, which manufactured and sold high quality cast iron kitchen ranges and progressively diversified into household goods, including furniture, china and silver plate. They opened a toy department just before Christmas 1898, offering mechanical and steam toys, dolls, games and picture books. You could even buy Christmas cards at Shaw Walker. The company was a Glasgow name for decades and was eventually acquired by Pearson’s in the 1930’s. Just along from Shaw Walker’s is Peacock’s Tearoom at number 28, another well-known Glasgow enterprise. Across the street is Arthur Baker, the men’s tailor, at number 17 and the British Linen Bank is next door, at number 19. J. &. A. Ferguson’s popular restaurant was further up, at number 67. ( Anonymous publisher )
Not much detail can be discerned in this photograph of Union Street dating from 1901-05. The tram cars in view are all open-top and this was the case in the first few years after the system had been electrified. We are looking across to 40 Union Street and R.A. Peacock’s Tearoom would not occupy that location (28-40) until much later. ( Postcard published in the Wrench Series and printed in Saxony. )
Here, we are looking across the cobblestones to the upper west-side of Union Street in late 1962/early 1963 after the tram wires had been removed but the tracks were still in place. The businesses include John Collier, the men’s outfitter, Ross Dairies, Sawer’s Fish and the Grant Educational Company, the latter just to the left of the Central Station canopy. Grant’s was renowned for selling school textbooks and bibles. The blackened building with the bay windows and adornments is the Caledonian Chambers, designed by James Miller and built in 1901-3 to house offices for the Caledonian Railway and private tenants. ( Photograph courtesy of the Michael Meighan Collection. )
This is a close-up view of the ornamental entrance to the Caledonian Chambers and the adjacent businesses. At the time this and preceding photograph were taken, the property was owned by British Railways. Now, a large part of the building has been redeveloped to house the Grasshoppers Hotel. ( Photograph courtesy of the Michael Meighan Collection.)
A one-way traffic system in now in operation in Glasgow in this 1960’s view of Union Street where neon lighting had been installed. The southbound vehicles include a Bedford van, two Minis, a Hillman Minx, and a Ford Consul. Most of the pedestrians in the picture are male and hats are definitely out of fashion. Atmospheric pollution is taking its toll and the white faience on James Miller’s Renfield Street building housing the Classic Cinema is badly in need of a clean. ( Postcard published by Miller & Lang, Ltd., Glasgow. )
{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
Love your site. I am a member of the GlesgaKeelies site and Charlie suggested we have a look at your very informative site. Fergusons still make chocolates today in Greenock and you can buy their products online. Their rose and violet creams are to die for. Keep up the good work and I will let my friends know about your great site.
Regards
lindyloo.
Thank you Lynn. Ferguson’s used to have a chocolate factory on Merrylee Road, between Cathcart and Muirend. When cycling in the area, I would stop there to feast my eyes on the display of produce in the window.
I found your site by chance and wonder if you can help. I’m after information on a business called MacGuire & Jago who were at 11-16 Union Street in the late 19th, early 20th century, I think. If you have any info or links to some, I would be grateful.
Many thanks.
David
I was employed with Ferguson’s in 1973. My position was trainee to the grocery manager in the Union Street store. The dept was situated in the basement. I learned a lot about retail from my manager (Madge). The general manager at the time was a Mr. Edgar. It would be great to see some photos of that time!!!
Thanks for sharing this information Gerry. If anyone has photos from that time, they are welcome to write in.
Enjoyed looking at the site. I believe no. 116 was a wine and spirit merchant in the early 1900’s. Do you know what name it traded under or any other info?
Thanks.
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay,
Thank you for your comment and question. In the Glasgow Directory for 1927 which can be accessed online, 116 Union Street was occupied by “The Union” which would have been located across the street from the side entrance to Central Station. Perhaps it was a bar. In 1869, John Leckie & Co., manufacturer of luggage, equestrian leatherware and dealer in Scottish weapons and curling stones, moved into 116 Union Street from premises in Stockwell Street. By 1879, the firm was known as Leckie, Graham, & Co. now at 116 and 120 Union Street and by 1904 they had moved to 89 Renfield Street and 56 Bath Street. I believe they later diversified into the school strap business and did a brisk trade with Glasgow teachers.
I adored Ferguson’s. I used to go in with my mum to the tearoom which was always busy. Their butterfly cakes were sublime. I would love to see some pictures of the shop but there isn’t much on the Internet.
I agree. They were certainly busy on Saturday mornings when we used to visit. The company is still in business and they will probably have many old photos in their records. Here is their contact information, if you wish to get in touch with them.
J. & A. Ferguson,
Fort Matilda,
Greenock,
PA16 7QF
TEL: 01475 721099
FAX: 01475 784644
http://www.fergusonschocolates.com/contacts
Thanks for memories of Union Street. I wonder if you know the original purpose of the building occupied by the “Goose” at present? I suspect it may have been a bank but who knows.
The Goose address is given as 40-46 Union Street and in the coloured postcard view below, taken between 1901 and 1905, you can see the buildings on either side of number 40 on the right of the picture. There is a bank just beyond the awnings. The Georgic Restaurant and Tea Rooms ( R. A. Peacock & Son Ltd.) used to be at number 28-40 Union Street, in premises that were rebuilt between 1929-1931 to a design by architects James B. Whyte & William G. Galloway.
Indeed the Goose used to be the Georgic Tea Rooms. My Granny who recently passed away worked there in the 1930’s and had many an interesting tale to tell of the place.
I also used to work in J.& A. Ferguson’s, as a trainee manager from 1975-83. Their cheese and meat were second to none. I ended up working with Alec McGuire in the best wine department in Scotland! Food from the Elsinore restaurant was excellent.
Hi Glen,
Thanks for sharing your experiences at J. & A. Ferguson in Union Street. They were definitely a class act and are still in business as a confectioner, based in Greenock. I was unaware of their restaurant’s name in Union Street. Whenever I was taken there, my attention was probably focussed on a milk chocolate frog.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
We have a razor marked Joseph Allen & Sons and “13 Union St, Glasgow”. Was this a department store? We would like to know more. Hope you can help.
Thanks.
Gemma.
Hi Gemma,
Joseph Allen & Sons were Razor and Cutlery Manufacturers based in Sheffield. Joseph Allen had trained as a razor smith. The razor in your possession was probably purchased from William Marshall who had premises at 13 Union Street and is described in the 1927 Glasgow Directory as a cutler, ironmonger, edge tool, electrical, novelty and golf requisite merchant. He would have been located on the west side of the street near the corner with Argyle Street.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Chris
Does anyone know what was at 10 Union Street in 1902? A family scandal is rumoured to have taken place there, but I can’t find anything about the address!
As you look up Union Street from the intersection with Argyle Street, the address is on the right-hand side, very close to the corner. Number 10 would have occupied part of the same building that housed the Argyle Hotel. Howell’s Cigars and Tobaccos were on the ground floor at the corner. There is a good view of the location in the first Union Street photograph ( albeit taken approx. twenty years later.)
Hi,
I was an employee at J. & A. Ferguson’s from 1974 to 1980 and worked alongside Glen and Martin. Then I moved up to the butcher counter and worked with Esther and Marjorie. There were many good times there.
Robert
Was there an old pub called Lang’s or Laing’s opposite the side entrance to the station near Ca d’Oro?
Chris,
I was a Saturday Girl in the Union Street Woolworth’s (on the East side of the street); 1966 – 1968.
I remember the excitement of being evacuated one winter afternoon when J. & A. Ferguson’s across the street tragically went up in flames.
There were great pops and bangs as bottles of spirits exploded in the once beautiful window displays 🙁
The street was snaked with hoses as firemen fought the blaze in the surreal light of the fire.
We were thrilled to be finished work early!
Elspeth
Thank you for this recollection Elspeth. Fortunately, J. & A. Ferguson recovered from the fire and reopened in 1968.
My friend’s wife Nessie worked for J. & A. Ferguson as a chocolatier. Can someone tell me what year they opened and closed down their factory on Merrylee Road.
Thanks.
Arthur
Hi Chris,
I worked in Scott & Madill’s optical house as a lens surfacer from November 1971 until late 1974. Their address was 3rd and 4th floors, 114 Union Street. For a while after I started at age 15 I operated the cage lift. City Bakeries were below Ca D’oro and Jacksons the Tailor, Clydesdale Electrical, Apollo Blinds and Bernard Electrical, and the big record shop (think it was HMV) were all there and thriving.
Ross
Hi Chris,
Do I remember a real parrot in a window of a shop/hotel on the Glasgow Central side of Union Street in the early 70’s?
Thanks
Hi Colin,
Thank you for your question. I don’t know the answer because I was away at that time, but I will post your question in case someone does.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Ross,
Thank you for sharing your early work experience, starting when you were age 15. Let’s hope someone will write in who remembers you and the company.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
As a child I seem to remember a restaurant at Glasgow Central called Caledonian. Am I wrong? It’s bugging me.
Thank you xx
Liz
Hi Liz,
Thank you for your comment and, yes, I remember a lounge bar called the Caledonian that occupied part of the lower level of that fine two-storey oval wooden building at the edge of the Central Station concourse. The upper level was occupied by the Train Information Office (TIO) where my big brother Michael worked for a while before qualifying as a ticket collector.
Reference is made to the Caledonian Lounge in Michael Meighan’s excellent book “Glasgow Central Station Though Time”.
Best wishes,
Chris
Dear Chris,
I was thrilled to find your site. At the beginning of the last century (c. 1903-1907) my grandmother was secretary to John(?) Grant, who family lore says was the owner of The Grant Educational Company, which is shown on one of your photos at 91 Union St. next to the entrance to the Caledonian Chambers. I would be very grateful for any leads that you could give me on John Grant and the company. Thank you so much for your work and the wonderful old photos.
Anne
Hi Chris,
I live in Adelaide, South Australia, and have come across some old photos which were taken at Whyte & Sons, 20 Union Street, Glasgow. My mum, who is 95 and born in Aberdeen, has no idea who the people are in the photos. Can you help me with a website I can use to follow this up?
Thank you.
Dianne
Hi Dianne,
I’m sorry for the great delay. I posted your inquiry but then completely forgot to reply. The photographer, James Whyte, originally had premises at 37 Jamaica Street from 1884 – 1903 and then he moved to 20 Union Street. In 1906, his sons were included in the business name, http://www.thelows.madasafish.com/cards/whyte20.htm so this would be the earliest date that your photograph would have been taken. I’m not sure how long the photographers remained in business but it is reported that they photographed the Lister Ward at the Royal Infirmary in 1928, https://ewds.strath.ac.uk/journeysthroughhealthhistory/View/Image/tabid/6227/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2011/Glasgow-Royal-Infirmary-Scotland-interior-of-the-Lister.aspx
Have you tried contacting one of the ancestry organizations to see if any of your relatives lived in the Glasgow area during the time that James Whyte & Sons were in business?
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
What a lot of information! I remember going to Ferguson’s with my mum on Saturdays. Was there a butcher’s shop in that part of Union Street in the 60’s?
Margaret
Hi Margaret,
Thank you very much for your comment and message. We would also stop at Ferguson’s on a Saturday morning if we were in that part of town. I don’t know about a butcher’s shop nearby but there was a meat counter at Ferguson’s confirmed in the correspondence at the end of the chapter.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
I used to work in Scott & Madill of 114 Union Street. I worked in the stockroom for about three years and I knew Ross, I think he was from Carntyne. I used to buy all my albums from HMV and at lunch time I would nip downstairs to the City Bakeries for a couple of hot sausage rolls. My gaffer Billy took me to the Alpen Lodge in Hope Street for my first pint when I turned 18. I had many happy times at Scott and Madill.
Thomas
Hi Chris,
I used to work for Scott and Madill of 114 Union Street. I was there for three years from 1971 to 1974. I worked in the stockroom and am sure I remember Ross who also left a comment on your site. I remember during lunch break that I would nip down to HMV and check out the latest albums and then pop into the City Bakeries for a couple of sausage rolls. I remember when I turned 18 and my gaffer took me to the Alpine Lodge in Hope Street. I enjoyed those three years at Scott and Madill.
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
Thank you very much for visiting the website and for sharing your experience working for Scott and Madill in Union Street. It’s good to know that you enjoyed the experience and have happy memories of that time.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi,
Does anyone know what the initials J. & A. stood for in J.& A. Ferguson, at 67 Union Street? I’ve been doing my family tree and quite a few of the J & A’s in the tree had either Grocer or Master Grocer as their job titles
Any info would be brilliant. Thanks.
David
Hi David,
Thank you for your question. In the Post Office Annual Glasgow Directory for 1890-1891 ( which you can access online at https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/84640948) the names of the owners at that time were given as James and Alexander Ferguson. If you scroll down to page 271, you will see Ferguson, Alex. ( of J. & A. Ferguson ), house 149 Renfrew Street. Then on the next page, you will find Ferguson, James ( of J. & A. Ferguson ), house, 149 Renfrew Street. Also on page 272 is listed Ferguson J. & A., wholesale and retail tea and wine merchants and general grocers, 67 Union Street. I hope this helps.
Chris
Hi,
I remember going to Ferguson’s in the 1960s and their gammon stakes were the best. Also, there was a butcher. I think it was Galloway’s and also a shop called McKean’s which sold lambkin pies. Does anyone remember these?
Robert
An excellent informative website.
Thank you Gordon. Much appreciated.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
A friend of mine is clearing his parents house and came across this box. I’m wondering if the name is the same as the one referred to many times here, Ferguson’s Union Street?
Thanks for your help.
Pat x
Hi Chris,
Sorry, I can’t upload the photos. Is there an email address that I can send them to?
Pat
Hi Pat,
Thank you for your inquiry and, yes, the name most probably refers to J. & A. Ferguson’s, the upscale grocers and tearoom that used to be on Union Street.
Best wishes,
Chris
Yes Pat. I will email you.
Thank you.
Chris
Buenas noches Cris,
Estoy buscando informacion sobre una fabrica de juguetes en los años 1950’s. La direccion estaba en 54 Union Street, Glasgow. El nombre de la empresa es Mastercraft of Scotland. Gracias.
Luis
Good evening Chris,
I am looking for information on a toy factory in the 1950’s. The address was at 54 Union Street, Glasgow. The company name was Mastercraft of Scotland. Thanks.
Luis
Hi Chris,
I worked in the Top Man store in Union St. in the late 70’s and The Officers Club in the mid 80’s. There was talk of a fire or explosion on this stretch of the road in a Chemical Factory (?) sometime in the early 1900’s. Does anyone have any information or pics regarding this?
Many thanks.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your inquiry. I did some searching but could not find any reference to a major fire and/or explosion in or around Union Street in the early 1900’s. I’m posting your message in case someone responds. You could try contacting the Glasgow Room and City Archives at the Mitchell Library, in case there is a record of such an event. They should have newspapers covering the period in question.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
I remember my dad taking me to the Delta Club in Union Street in the 70s and 80s, it may have been a lodge based in the Union Chambers building. Do you know anything about the Delta Club ?
Barry
Hi Barry,
Sorry, I don’t know anything about the Delta Club. I have done some searching but without success. I’m posting your message in case a reader responds with further information.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Fantastic photos and information. I came across this site as I searched for a tailor’s shop called Duncan’s which I believe was in Union St. Mr Duncan was the father of my step grandmother and I am guessing he owned a shop perhaps in the prewar years and possibly into the 50’s. I grew up in the home Mr Duncan built for himself and recall that we had many clothes hangers inscribed with Duncan and, if memory serves me right, an address in Union St., Glasgow. I wonder if you or your readers can provide any further information.
Thank you.
Colin
Hi Chris,
My parents 1945 wedding announcement in the Glasgow Herald states they married in ‘The Georgic’. Their photo album shows my mother in full wedding dress, bouquet etc. I would like to establish where/what ‘The Georgic’ was. The photo you show in this thread at 28-40 Union St looks the only likely venue. Is there any evidence their Restaurant/Tearooms held private functions such as weddings? Or any other thoughts?
Thankyou.
Alan
Hi Alan,
Thank you very much for your inquiry. I certainly associate “The Georgic” with the tearoom and restaurant that used to be in Union Street but I doubt that marriages would have been performed there. It seems more likely that the place could have been booked, in whole or in part, for the reception.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes.
Chris
Hi Chris,
As a kid in the mid 1970’s I was taken to football games by an uncle. After the game we’d go to a tearoom upstairs on the Central Station side of Union Street. I think it was called Treetops or something. Have you ever heard of it? It was always very busy.
Ian
Hi Ian,
Thank you for your inquiry. I have not heard of Treetops but one of the best known restaurants and tearooms on the Central Station side of Union Street was J. & A. Ferguson. It was also an upscale grocer and open during the 1970’s. Could that have been the place?
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Very nice indeed. I remember the Treetops in Glasgow Central, above and next to the police holding room, upper level.
Marc
Hi Marc,
Thank you for confirming this. A previous correspondent had asked about the Treetops.
All the best,
Chris
Hi Chris,
What a lovely record and dialogue. Thanks. My grandfather came to Canada from Glasgow in the early 1900’s. He enlisted in the First World War in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in 1914. He listed his next of kin as his mother living at “68 Union St, Springburn, Glasgow”. I can only find the Union St. that you show in these photos. Would #68 have had residential flats at that time? We are coming to Glasgow this May and I doing a little family research. Any thoughts are gratefully received.
Cheers, David
Hi David,
Thank you very much for your inquiry and comment on the website. There was indeed a Union Street in Old Springburn as can be seen to the right of the red line in the map featured in the following link: https://sonofskye.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/then-and-now-springburn-no-more/ The street ran for two blocks and the residences were most likely flats in 3 or 4 storey tenement buildings. I did not find Springburn’s Union Street listed in the Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1900/1901 but this publication may have focused on streets more centrally located. I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
I also have a newspaper cutting from 1946 stating my parent’s wedding reception would be at “the Georgic” so I presume that must be the R.A. Peacock restaurant and tearooms??
Iain
Yes, I believe so Iain. Thank you for posting.
Best wishes,
Chris
Hi Chris,
I worked at J. & A. Ferguson from about 1976 to 1980. I remember Glen Martin, Alex Maguire, James Allan, and Mr. McEwan, Great shop, brill staff. I wish I could meet up with them after 40 years. They were the best years of my life. If anyone wants to contact me, my email is early985@btinternet.com
James