Fred Smith & Co
This fine facade, repleat with relief lettering above a
shop and coaching
entrance was built in the early twentieth century. It was still trading
as a garden supplies shop into the early eighties. A period photograph
shows
the Suffolk Seed Stores Ltd (below): the coaching entrance has been
closed
in to create a trading area, subsequently opened up for parking at the
rear.
[See Woodbridge
for more Suffolk Seed Stores lettering.] It has since (intermittently)
been used as offices and has in 2008 been joined by an in-fill building
to the left. A fortunate
survivor
of the extensive demolitions in this part of the town (Greyfriars and
Civic
Drive are nearby), it was one of several livery stables in the town
including
The Old West End Posting Establishment.
-
Short of demolition, there is very little that could be
done to remove,
disguise or otherwise this fine proclamation of a tradesman setting out
his stall:
'THE
CENTRAL
LIVERY & BAIT STABLES
FRED SMITH & CO'
A sunny day provides a striking reflection of the
Livery and Bait Stables
in the smoked glass of the Willis building opposite. This Norman Foster
designed landmark contains a swimming pool, roof garden and is itself
now
a listed building. Formerly 'Willis-Faber and 'Willis-Coroon'
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Copyright throughout this site belongs to Borin Van Loon, 2003.