Tuesday 16 March 2010: J & M Smith

I have no idea what J & M Smith was in its hayday. Judging by the curtains in the window, and the closed sign hanging in the door, it hasn't been a shop for a long time. It certainly needs a lot of TLC to bring it back to life.

I've been noting these old shops/buildings ever since TC mentioned that he went off to blip the old newsagents in Chichester only to discover its gone. These delightful old buildings are part of our rich heritage and its very easy to either knock down history, replacing it with a characterless 21st century building; or paintbrush over their stories.

[added later: The UK does relish and preserve its architectural heritage thanks to the efforts of the National Trust and the like.]

Tags

emsworth heritage

Comments

1. It almost looks like it's been cast in plaster!

   ~ Red

2. How intriguing. But for the name, it looks like a cafe.

   ~ SooB

3. Sad, but lovely, and fascinating. I suppose if it was still in business they would have smartened it up and spoiled its character.

   ~ chaiselongue

4. I think it's fascinating. It seems like "The wistle stop cafè" in Green fried tomatoes.

   ~ frog

5. Fascinating, almost looks unreal.

   ~ GreenEyedCat

6. Great image. It looks like something out of a fairy tale.

   ~ LouiseZaaijman

7. Lovely bit of crumbling architecture :-)

   ~ hardyheroine

8. I agree with your blip, but to give credit where it's due, the UK does a lot more for it's heritage and preservation of culture then a lot of countries. Sometimes, it's just a matter of pointing the people who conserve in the right direction.

   ~ mar

9. another hidden story for sure....
   
   lovely intriguing blip

   ~ orchid99

10. Places like this are great to photograph. Well done.

    ~ gblrps

11. Wonderful, it's a decrepit place.
    
    I adore decrepit places, and broken things. Wonderful.

    ~ ViolaMaths

12. Don't know why but upholsters comes to mind.
    Well spotted, love it!

    ~ Eck

13. what a jewel!!! great work... thanks

    ~ Zman53

14. makes a good blip.. I like!

    ~ Orchid

15. How eerie. I has the feeling of an abandoned Hitchcock filmset. As if everybody is trying NOT to remember what happened there.

    ~ damiangrounds

16. Beautifully run-down, but i'm glad I don't live there!

    ~ ChristineLowe

17. Great find. I'd love to know its history.

    ~ Grandmama

18. Lovely. Looks like it's all made from plaster

    ~ POD2008