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Sharing our memories of Heald Green
Last Updated 5th November 2025
Wilmslow Road/Long Lane shops - Part 2
By Helen Morgan
First Published 26/10/2025
Last Updated 26/10/2025
Numbers 190 to 202 and beyond
The other set of shops, over Merwood Avenue, were built second. (See here for numbers 178a to 188).
Not all are on the 1939 register, although the whole row is on the 1939 electoral roll.
Fig. 1 Parade of shops 19.7.2025
© H Morgan
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190 Wilmslow Road
In 1935, Alfred Bailey was trading as a fruiterers and greengrocers.
The electoral roll for 1939 recorded Mr William Cooke trading as Orchard Fruit Stores. On the 1939 register, four people were living there (one entry was redacted).
44 year old William was a greengrocer and a special constable for the Cheshire Police Force. His wife, 42 year old Florance was doing unpaid domestic duties. Their son Kenneth was 18 years old and a motor mechanic.
By 1947 E Williams was the greengrocer.
Fig. 2 E Williams advert The Review September 1947
© Ratepayers Association
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In 1958, Heald’s dairy moved into the big house, opposite the library now, called Brookside. They also opened a Heald’s shop at 190. The manager was Mr Duckworth.
Fig. 3 Heald's Shop manager
Manchester Evening News 16.10.1958
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There was a machine outside selling cold milk and orange juice.
“Does anyone remember the milk machine there? Sixpence for a carton of ice cold milk! They did orange juice as well I think.”
- Gillian Hollingworth, Facebook 2021
“I remember the milk machine and the orange juice. It was outside Heald’s shop which of course was owned by Heald’s dairy in Heald Green. It was very handy if you ran out of milk and the shop was closed.”
- Hazel Hankinson, Facebook 2021
“But if you opened the drawer and put your hand up inside, you could help yourself for nothing! Of course, not something I ever did.”
- Howard Hunt, Facebook 2022
Fig. 4 Wilmslow Road and Merwood Ave - 1965
© Hazel Hankinson
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There was even a bench to sit on.
Fig. 5 Heald's Shop advert
Manchester Evening News 12.10.1967
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“My mum used to do her weekly shop in this shop. I can still see the layout now. Fruit and veg then tins and a fantastic deli counter across the very back. The lady used to cut the cheese with a massive knife that must have been a good foot long and back bacon cut fine or thick as you like. Fantastic shop must have been a gold mine.”
- Gill Rice, Facebook 2021
“I delivered orders for Heald’s Dairies which was based on the corner of Merwood Avenue and Wilmslow Road. My order bike had a small front wheel with the basket over it! I worked on a Thursday and Friday evening plus Saturday morning.”
- Howard Hunt, Facebook 2025
You may not realise, when you walk past the shop now, that the mosaic tiles on the side of the building are a thing that people still come from miles around to see! It is a piece of 1960s memorabilia. (Liptons on Finney Lane had a mosaic entrance too.)
Fig. 6 Saleems 2021
© Colin Barnsley
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The word Heald’s is now under the purple paint, much to the annoyance of enthusiasts.
“I think Healds blocked the name out when they left. My mum worked there, upstairs in their office.”
- Ian Hevingham, Facebook 2021
In 1974, the Whittaker family from Macclesfield briefly took over the shop.
“After Healds, the corner shop was owned by a family called Whittakers. It was when there was a sugar shortage. They didn’t seem to have it very long, when one day there was a note on the door saying closed owing to family bereavement, but they never opened again. Then Salem and Mary came.”
- Jean Cotterill, Facebook 2025
Then in 1975 Muhammad Saleem arrived, remembered by everyone, who only retired in 2024. During his tenure the shop was later renamed as Long Lane Post Office and General Store, retaining the history of the road. It became our post office in 1997, when the one opposite the Griffin closed. There is an article within the museum to commemorate him. He received a mayor’s award for his service to the community in April 2024.
Fig. 7 Muhammad Saleem retires from Long Lane Post Office Apr 2024
© H Morgan
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Another well loved local shopkeeper, Abuakr Sehri (known as Abu) has taken on the business in Muhammed’s stead. It is still a post office and corner shop with nearby competition from the Spar and the Co-Op. At the time Muhammed said:
“[People] are pleased that Abuakr is taking over. I didn’t want to leave until I had the right person to take on the business, so I’m happy as I really care about my village.”
- Muhammed Saleem, in conversation 2024
Above Heald’s store was Kathleen’s ladies hairdresser. She was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Townsend who ran the Heald Green Hotel and the wife of butcher George Pearson from Outwood Road shops.
“The door to the right was Kathleen’s hairdressers. I worked there for 22 years and my mum worked at the shop below which was Heald’s.”
- Joan Sharp, Facebook 2021
“Kathleen Townsend was up there; mum went there all the time. She used to drag me along sometimes. The ladies used to give me cherry lips sweets. Kathleen had a great MG Roadster; yellow I think.”
- Martyn Griffiths, Facebook 2024
“My mum had her hair done there. I remember the stairs when popping up to see mum after school.”
- Janine Linda Keeler, Facebook 2021
“Both my Mum and Auntie went every Friday in the 70s and 80s.”
- Ruth Gregory, Facebook 2025
Her adverts placed the business as “over Heald’s”. Her first one that I found was in 1959, so that would tie in with the arrival of Heald’s. Her last advert was 1979.
Fig. 8 Kathleen Townsend advert
Contact magazine February 1963
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192 Wilmslow Road
In 1935 Caroline Thompson was recorded as a shopkeeper here, with no mention of what kind of goods were sold.
On the 1939 electoral roll, Mrs Grace Wooding was the shopkeeper.
On the 1939 register, the building is recorded with no occupants listed.
By 1947 Poole’s groceries and confectionery were there with Miss E.C. Poole as the proprietor.
Fig. 9 Pooles advert The Review September 1947
© Ratepayers Association
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Sayers Confectioners (Manchester) Ltd. came next and was remembered by many residents. It was there by 1962 up until at least 1973.
“I remember cakes on a Saturday afternoon from Sayers whilst watching wrestling then Dr Who on the telly.”
- Si Boothman, Facebook 2023
“I worked at Sayers on Saturdays for a short time. I enjoyed bringing home confectionery at the end of the day!”
- Patricia Darby, Facebook 2025
“Sayers, where they took me in when I got knocked down on the crossing on my way to Boy’s Brigade at Long Lane church. It must have been around 1965. It was a Spitfire triumph that had pulled out of the Shell petrol station and he hadn’t switched his lights on.”
- Tony Rains, Facebook 2025
“Lovely block of shops. I remember my mum getting my birthday cakes made at Sayers. I’m in my 60s now and I remember them so well. One was Dougal from the Magic Roundabout and another was Lady Penelope and her pink Rolls Royce (Thunderbirds).”
- Nicola Ricci, Facebook 2024
“I remember Sayers cake shop and buying iced buns on my way home from school.”
- Sue Walton, Facebook 2024
“I remember Sayers, best vanilla slices ever.”
- Linda Stevenson, Facebook 2024
“When I was pregnant with my second son, I used to go into Sayers every day for a Cornish pastie (had to be shortcrust pastry) and two fresh cream meringues! The staff knew me well and used to say he’d be born looking like a meringue!”
- Catherine Cain, Facebook 2024
After Sayers the unit became an office rather than a shop. In 1979 a planning application was made by Office Service Bureau Ltd, from John Dalton Street in Manchester, to change the shop use to two office units, one up and one down. The application was granted at 192 but refused at 194.
“We moved onto Merwood Ave in 1973, when it was still Sayers. At some point after that it was a shop that offered office services like typing and copying but I can’t remember what it was called.”
- Jean Cotterill, Facebook 2025
“After Sayers bakery I do remember something more of an office than a shop that was named Martin & Co.”
- Si Boothman, Facebook 2025
“Ah yes Martin and Co and yes it did look like an office setup with a desk at the back with ladies working on typewriters and a xerox machine.”
- Jean Cotterill, Facebook 2025
“I think it was a computer shop at some time after I bought 194 (1980). It had the same front as Flightdeck. It had 2 desks in the front and 2 persons worked programming computers.”
- Graham Osborne, Facebook 2025
“It had bronze tinted windows.”
- Richard Osborne, Facebook 2025
In 1987 Artic Shield Limited, a company trading from the Ringway Trading Estate, were granted permission for a shop sign here.
In the summer of 1990 Flightdeck arrived owned by David Fairbotham and I was fortunate to be able to speak to him for more of his memories.
Fig. 10 Flightdeck exterior
© David Fairbotham
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All you plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts out there will remember that David moved on from here to Finney Lane above Sols in 1999. He also has a webpage that you may be interested in, www.airband-radio.co.uk where he details his father’s business and his decision to branch out on his own.
With the airport on our doorstep and planes overhead constantly, it was a good move for him. I know my dad would sit in his back garden in Lincoln Avenue and listen in with interest to where planes flying above him were off to.
Fig. 11 Flightdeck interior
© David Fairbotham
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Fig. 12 Flightdeck interior
© David Fairbotham
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However, perhaps more excitedly, who remembers the helicopter landing in the carpark of the Heald Green Pub??
David told me:
“"We" landed at the Heald Green Hotel car park, early on a Sunday morning in October 92. This was for the first Manchester Aviation Collectors fair my wife and I organised. If it's of use for your site, I have video of it landing, followed quite quickly by a landing a/c at MAN!”
You can watch the video by clicking here.
Fig. 13 Flightdeck helicopter at Heald Green Hotel 18.10.1992
© David Fairbotham
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Fig. 14 Flightdeck advert
Short Wave Magazine 1993
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David recalled:
“Stelios Panyani was the landlord. The upstairs office I think was a freight forwarders run by a Scandinavian guy called Steen.”
Perhaps that was the company that went bust in 1992.
Fig. 15 192A insolvency 23.4.1992
Wilmslow Express & Advertiser
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“It did sell air band radios. I bought a model dc9 in British Midland branding from there, as that’s the first plane I ever flew on!”
- Paul Smith, Facebook 2022
On the 1st November 1999, Valerie Smith opened Honez sunbed and beauty salon. Her daughter Beth would work there too. Her landlord was David Marsh, who had bought the building in 1997.
Fig. 16 Valerie inside Honez
© Bethanie Laura Jane Blower
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Fig. 17 Valerie inside Honez with Coleen Nolan
© Bethanie Laura Jane Blower
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Fig. 18 Valerie outside Honez 30.03.2025
© Bethanie Laura Jane Blower
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Valerie told me:
“Times changed and I decided to put clothes in and changed to a boutique. The shop had a refit and we took the beds out. I had a cabinet with vapes in and that was taken out. It was hard work.”
The doors closed on 31.3.2025.
The next day the signs were down and soon the new owner, Zeb Downs, was altering the shop. It reopened as Tanquility on 3.5.2025. What a quick turnaround that was for Zeb to start his sunbed shop up so quickly, with three lie down and one stand up bed. Within weeks of opening, he had over 600 enquiries. Not bad for a new business.
194 Wilmslow Road
In 1935 Mrs Elsie Oldham was a chemist here.
However, on the 1939 electoral roll Mr Thomas Edgar Apted, another chemist was recorded, who is remembered by many residents.
He would remain there until 1975 and then it briefly became Austin’s Pharmacy.
“Mr Apted was a great guy. Nothing was too much trouble. Hard to believe now but at that time you went to the chemist, not the doctors, unless it was serious.”
- Shirley Slack, Facebook 2022
“I remember when I was 6 or 7, the chemist coming out to staunch the bleeding when some ruffian had thrown a stone and hit me on the head. I didn’t realise how much I was bleeding but he had seen it from inside.”
- Dadou Yebali, Facebook 2024
“I dropped coins behind the weigh yourself scales outside the chemist.”
- Si Boothman, Facebook 2023
Fig. 19 Apteds advert The Review September 1947
© Ratepayers Association
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Prescriptions accurately dispensed! Let’s hope so.....
Fig. 20 Apted advert summer 1971
Contact magazine
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Fig. 21 Anne's mum left, Mr and Mrs Apted and their staff
© Anne Rostron
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“My mum used to clean for them.”
- Anne Rostron, Facebook 2021
In 1977 and 1979, two planning applications were applied for. First to change the unit to a restaurant, that was refused due to lack of parking. Then a takeaway with hot meals. This was refused on the grounds that it was detrimental to the adjoining residents. How times have changed!
In 1980 the Osborne family (Tubs and Loos) sold their house and moved into the flat above 194. Graham remembered that the shop downstairs still had racking in it from the chemist and that a fruit machine man had been using it. They traded downstairs as Tubs and Loos. A name now synonymous with these shops and still used as a point of reference, although no longer called that!
Fig. 22 Tubs and Loos 10th anniversary
Wilmslow Express & Advertiser 19.4.1990
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“My parents bought the shop and started Tubs and Loos in 1980. We lived above the shop for a few years. Then they bought the Handyman stores off Eric Green and extended the building. It was run as half the shop as Handyman Stores and half as Tubs and Loos. Initially they kept both shops and used the small shop (now Hampshires) as offices until my mum got attacked in 1988 by 2 men, who stole the cash takings from her and broke her arm. I still run the business today, although under a more modern name. (Opulenza)”
- Richard Osborne, Facebook 2021
Understandably Mrs Osborne was not up to returning there to work.
In 1985 Abdul Chowdhury was refused permission for an Indian takeaway.
This unit downstairs became Flowercraft Florist by 1987 with Mr Frank Rogers as the owner.
“I was a Saturday girl at the florist called Flowercraft, where Hampshire’s Estate Agents is now in 1993/4.”
- Kerry N-j, Facebook 2024
In 2002 Graham Osborne returned to the unit to trade as Express Bathrooms that then became Tubs and Loos again.
Fig. 23 Express Bathrooms April 2009
© Google Maps
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Fig. 24 Tubs and Loos September 2012
© Google Maps
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There was a retrospective change of use agreed from retail to estate agency in October 2014.
Hampshires were there by 2014 with Design Print above.
Both are still trading there in 2025.
Fig. 25 Hampshires July 2015
© Google Maps
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Now behind 194 is Diego Millan Barber Studio, accessed from Merwood Avenue as 194 B.
Retrospective change of use from a taxi office to a barbers was applied for in November 2024. Previously this had been BT Taxis Ltd.
Crazy in Love Designs Ltd selling luxury home fragrances had also previously traded there in 2023 and 2024.
Fig. 26 Diego Millan barbers 28.8.2025
© H Morgan
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196 Wilmslow Road
On the 1939 electoral roll the unit was Robbies Winery with Charles Roberts as the manager. However, on the 1939 register the Buckley family were living there. 60 year old Nellie was a widow and doing unpaid domestic duties. Her son, 35 year old John, was a scrap metal merchant and ambulance driver. His wife 32 year old Margaret, was a manageress of a wine and spirit store, which I would imagine was Robbies below them. Their son was 2 year old John.
Also, in 1939 the shop became Lennards Wine and Spirits. (Spelt the same way as Lennard Ironmongers of 1934 at number 188). They were there until 1961. Palatine Wines were there by 1962 until at least 1970.
Fig. 27 Palatine Wine Stores advert
St Catherine's Parish News December 1962
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Fig. 28 Wilmslow Road and Merwood Ave c. 1965
© Hazel Hankinson
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In the photo above, the shop row can be seen. District Bank, Palatine Wines, Apteds, Sayers and Healds.
The Bottle and Basket were there by 1972 until at least 1986.
“The guy that named it Bottle and Basket was Dougy Austin.”
- Tony Rains, Facebook 2025
“One of the owners of the Bottle and Basket had a full on Jason King moustache and he was also a partner in the Austin and Williams Driving School.”
- Graham Bloxsome, Facebook 2023
“Used to be the only shop open on a Sunday in Heald Green.”
- Nick Jackson, Facebook 2023
“Went there many times on Xmas day when we ran out of booze, LOL, always freezing in there.”
- Debz Schofield, Facebook 2023
“And Xmas day, new year.”
- Daz Price, Facebook 2023
“The Bottle and Basket was always open when everything else was shut!”
- Janette Bianchi, Facebook 2023
Fig. 29 Bottle and Basket advert
Contact magazine Autumn 1973
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“I remember being in the Bottle and Basket off licence c1976/7. I was 10/11 years old with my mates, when Alex Higgins came in, dressed in a full length sheepskin coat. The owner said,
"come on lads get out while I serve Alex."
We called it something else after that!”
- Paul Howarth, Facebook 2023
“The bottle and basket at some point during the 80/90s was bought and operated by an American gentleman. Towards the later 1990s, the shop was trading as a Spar and the company that traded under that banner was Convenience Express Ltd, a business based in Reddish, Stockport.”
- Si Boothman, Facebook 2025
By 1990 Ellis Hammond Wine Store was trading here. That then became Bakers Wine Stores.
In the later 1990s the shop was a Spar, before Westcoast Wines by 1998, until 2018.
“Bottle and Basket became Ellis Hammond Off Licence, then Bakers Wine stores then Westcoast Wines before finally Hairmaster. It was also a Spar at some point but I can’t remember where about that fitted in between Bottle and Basket and Westcoast Wines.”
- Richard Osborne, Facebook 2025
Fig. 30 Westcoast Wines October 2012
© Google Maps
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Hairmaster were there by 2019 and are still there in 2025.
Since 2024, also trading as 196 is a beauty salon via Merwood Avenue, called Sonia’s. Retrospective planning was applied for in December 2024.
Fig. 31 Sonias 13.4.2024
© H Morgan
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198 Wilmslow Road
1
On the electoral roll for 1939 the unit was the District Bank Long Lane, as a Cheadle sub-branch, with Bank Manager,
Mr G. B. Jackson.
The 1939 register listed the Griffiths family living above. Frank was a caretaker aged 67. His wife, 65 year old Cecily, was doing unpaid domestic duties. 41 year old Ethel worked for Manchester Corporation Transport as a ticket and cash clerk. Also living there was 8 year old Leonard Bennett who was at school.
In 1962 the bank was bought out by National Provincial Bank. In 1968 the National Provincial Bank merged with the Westminster Bank. On January 1st 1970 the National Westminster Bank opened its doors. The bank here became NatWest Long Lane and was still there in 1975 but was gone by 1976.
Pete Matthews, a local builder, bought the unit once the bank had gone and would remain the landlord until 2001. By 1977 his company were advertising, although the surname was spelt differently.
“Just spoken to my brother, Pete Matthews, who bought the District Bank which was closed down. He rented it out to a chap who was a market trader. Then Dave Marsh rented it for a barber/hairdressing shop, Rumours, for many years.”
- Ann Park, Facebook 2021
Fig. 32 GA Mathews advert
Rose Queen programme 1977
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“My wife remembers a young guy that lived in the houses set back off Wilmslow Road opening a hairdressers. It didn’t last that long but would have been around 1979. He then went selling shoes on markets somewhere.”
- Nigel McGivern, Facebook 2025
In 1978, a hairdressers called Trims arrived. It was Ray Cope’s business, who also had a shop in Cheadle Hulme. He headhunted David Marsh, who had just finished his training in London, to be the manager of the shop. I spoke to David in September 2025. He said that after 18 months as the manager, the business was failing. It was agreed that David either left or would buy the business from Ray. He did the latter and the shop remembered by many as Rumours Hairdressers was born in 1980/81.
The landlord was still Pete Matthews. In trade directories for 1984/5 “David Marsh” was a men’s hairdresser. By October 1985, permission had been granted to extend the rear ground floor from an office to a hairdressers, applied for by Mr WD Marsh, Rumours The Barber Shop. David went on to employ ten staff and spent lots of money on refits. David also remembered that Roy Manuel Insurance Brokers were upstairs around this time.
With Pete Matthews still as the landlord, next Robert Bennett Insurance brokers were in the offices above and in 1988 they moved into number 180 Wilmslow Road after planning permission was sought and agreed.
Tubs and Loos then had offices up there and the garages at the back.
C&H Electrics Ltd moved in in 2001 until around 2006, when they moved to Outwood Road shops.
Fig. 33 R Bennett & Partners advert
Rose Queen programme 1986
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“Rumours gent’s hairdressers, where my grandad went.”
- Adrian Bowers, Facebook 2021
By 1986 Rumours had become a men’s and ladies’ hairdressers.
Fig. 34 Rumours advert
Rose Queen programme 1986
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Fig. 35 Rumours June 2016
© Google Maps
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In November 2001 David bought the premises off Pete Matthews and Pete sold the garages to Tubs and Loos. Once Rumours closed, David leased the premises to Justina and her partner. Flex was there by March 2019 as a one-to-one personal training centre.
Fig. 36 Flex interior July 2024
© Wendy Morris from Heald Pink and Blue
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Moving now to the bungalows before the garage (now Co-op), 200 and 202 Wilmslow Road
Fig. 37 Sangam and Opulenza 28.8.2025
© H Morgan
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200 Wilmslow Road
Number 200 Wilmslow Road was where the Maw family lived.
It was there in 1932 and called “The Bungalow” with Mr Ernest Maw recorded. He was a butcher by trade. Until the shops were built, this bungalow and other homes had no numbers, just house names.
By 1939 on the electoral register only Fanny Maw was listed. On the 1939 register 65 year old widow Fanny, was doing unpaid domestic duties and living in number 200 with her 30 year old daughter Martha Frances, who was a shop assistant in a butchers. Perhaps her father had opened up a butcher’s business at their house?
Ernest had died suddenly, aged only 60 in 1934. The amount he left to Fanny after probate was £1710 8s 11d (over £106,000 today).
Fig. 38 Maw announcement of death
Alderley and Wilmslow Advertiser 28 September 1934
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Into the 1950s now.
“In our house the front room was classed as the best room, reserved for high days and holidays and the sherry bottle would come out at Christmas. There was a piano in there and I was given private lessons by a music teacher called Miss Maw. She lived in a bungalow on Wilmslow Road, next to Mather’s nursery. However, I never got the hang of it.”
- John Kemp, In conversation 2022
Fanny Maw died at “The Bungalow, 200 Wilmslow Road” on 31st October 1954 aged 80. Probate, awarded to her spinster daughter Martha, was for £2574 1s 9d (over £90,000 in today’s money).
Mr Eric Green owned the Handyman stores after 1954. The shop was the Maw’s bungalow.
Fig. 39 Handyman stores advert
St Catherine's Parish News December 1962
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Fig. 40 Handymans Store
© Sam Stars
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“My great Uncle Eric owned Handyman stores. He was a character. I was only little when I used to dust the mini tins of paint.”
“When I was young my dad Peter and my grandad Reg worked there.”
- Caroline Elizabeth, Facebook 2022 and 2023
Fig. 41 Uncle Eric (left) and Grandad Reg (right)
© Caroline Elizabeth
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“If you look at the photo of the side of the building the fourth building along is the original woodshed. It’s now our offices.”
“When my parents first bought the store in 1983, the area at the back was full of apples trees, pear trees and damson trees. There are a few still there today.”
- Richard Osborne, Facebook 2021
The original bungalow can still be seen in the photo.
Fig. 42 Handyman bungalow 18.3.2021
© H Morgan
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“When it was Green’s in the 1970s, he had a woodshed at the back where you could leave plans etc and collect cut wood.”
- Sara Woods, Facebook 2021
“Good to see Handymans’s Store making an appearance at last. It makes me wants to rush round and buy an Airfix kit!”
- Andrew Hall, Facebook 2021
“The Handyman store where we went for our Airfix models, well boys will be boys. I think it was formerly Greens.”
- Adrian Bowers, Facebook 2021
“I was occasionally allowed to buy an Airfix model from the many they stocked. I can also remember the store had a very distinct smell. Not unpleasant but I’d describe it as a mix of paraffin and bird seed.”
- Jonathan Nobbs, Facebook 2021
“I got all my Airfix kits there on my birthdays, nice memories.”
- Ian Hevingham, Facebook 2021
“It was a good stockist for us kids too. I bought Airfix models, catapults, pea shooters, caps for my magnum, kites and the sawmill at the rear for free sawdust for pets.”
- Si Boothman, Facebook 2022
“It was my favourite place to spend my pocket money. Got me into Airfix and I still buy them.”
- Jonathan Hall, Facebook 2021
“I remember the circular saw, scary.”
- Tom Ward, Facebook 2021
“Mr Green was the man who ran the Handyman store. He was often on the circular saw. He wore a brown overcoat (2 Ronnies 4 candles sketch) and had a large bandage where his right thumb was. At the front of the store, they had a great selection of Airfix kits and boxes of those green toy soldiers. It definitely had a woody smell in the place.”
- Tim Hughes, Facebook 2021
“The only pictures I have sadly are in my memory. Building materials were out back. The Airfix models and soldiers were inside.”
- Stan Lawson, Facebook 2021
“I used to go through the back and get sawdust to clean my rabbits out. They used to fill a carrier bag for me for free. They also once made a picture frame as a gift. (It was Jack who made that.)”
“I remember the old gentleman who always used to smell of transvasin aka deep heat muscle rub. He used to open up in the mornings when I was passing for school. Always walked with a limp. I think he used to wear braces.”
- Michelle Fleming, Facebook 2021 and 2023
“That would be Great Uncle Eric. He had arthritis. Also, a great sense of humour.”
- Caroline Elizabeth, Facebook 2023
“I remember being scared to death of the circular saw in the woodshed at the back. The old guy would let me have the off cuts of wood from his scrap box.”
- Robert Harmston, Facebook 2021
“Lost count the number of times I went to Handyman Store with my dad when I was a child. It sold everything.”
- Bernadette Roscoe, Facebook 2023
“I have a very early memory of going in there, probably 1970s. I can remember the smell of the place and something that had a little man, who was a flame, as a logo. My dad bought me a toy car I think.”
- Mark Jackson, Facebook 2023
“My dad and I used to come here or to the back to get sawdust for our rabbit cage and guinea pigs. Used to love the smell.”
- Gillian Hollingworth, Facebook 2023
“I also seem to remember the toys in the window which had yellow film over it to stop the sun from fading things. I saw a very long legged rag doll, which I really wanted.......I saved up all my spending money for weeks and went in and bought it.”
- Michelle Fleming, Facebook 2023
Tubs and Loos bought Handymans on 21st December 1983 as Eric Green retired. Graham Osborne will never forget the phone call the next day to say that the Chinese chippy, attached to his new business, was on fire!!
In May 1985 Graham was granted planning permission to extend the existing shop and car park still under the name of Handyman Stores. At this time the shop was half Handymans and half Tubs and Loos.
Graham was very proud of the fact that the first floats, carrying Father Christmas around the local streets, for the Rotary Club of Handforth and Heald Green, were built behind his shop in 1986. Residents did remember other charity floats that went around the village at Christmas time too, perhaps for the Round Table charity, along with carol singers.
The photo below also shows the original signage for the business and the Thomas the Tank float.
Fig. 43 Tubs and Loos float
© G Osborne
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Fig. 44 Tubs and Loos float
© G Osborne
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Graham also told me that, before the shed man arrived, they used to hold bonfire night parties again for the Rotary Club, behind the shop.
When Graham needed more storage space, he struck a deal with this company to trade at the back of the store whilst using some for storage.
Fig. 45 200 Wilmslow Rd K and S Sheds advert
Manchester Evening News 13.3.1996
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A single storey rear extension planning permission was granted in December 1996.
A joint front extension was granted with Sangam 111 next door in July 2004.
Tubs and Loos was rebranded Opulenza in September 2013.
Fig. 46 Opulenza 23.10.2021
© H Morgan
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202 Wilmslow Road
This was another bungalow and there was no entry on the 1939 electoral roll. On the 1939 register were Samuel and Edith Watson. 70 year old Samuel was a retired baker and his 65 year old wife was a retired shopkeeper.
Perhaps they ran their business from their bungalow?
The Hicksons were there by 1965 if not earlier.
Fig. 47 R Hickson and son advert
St Catherine's Outlook magazine December 1965
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“It must have been the Hicksons before the Bottomleys who kept chickens. Eventually there was just one old one called Jane. My mum used to look after her sometimes. I remember going over with my mum to feed Jane. There was a lot of land at the back.”
- Hazel Hankinson, Facebook 2021
Between 1968 and 1972 the Bottomleys lived and worked at the bungalow. Eric Bottomley was a fruiterer and greengrocer.
“We acquired a chicken when we moved in which was c.1968. Hilda worked in the shop and when dad started his mobile shop we moved to Davies Avenue c.1972. I always remember Hilda saying to my mum
"if I had legs like yours, I would wear trousers!"
When we lived there, there were 2 car crashes into the bus stop outside and the half circle flowerbed in front of the bungalow.”
- Janine Linda Keeler nee Bottomley, Facebook 2021
“My mum Barbara Evans used to work there. Then she worked at Handyman’s for a good few years.”
- Hazel Hankinson, Facebook 2021
“The chicken that was left lived with us for a while. I believe the story was that Mr Hickson stood on her as a chick and couldn’t face getting rid of her. So, when we bought the bungalow in 1968, we acquired the chicken too. There was half an acre at the back and an orchard, which is now a carpark with a house at the back.”
- Janine Linda Keeler nee Bottomley, Facebook 2021
“We sold to a Chinese family and takeaway. We had lots of land behind our bungalow, which can be recognised with the carpark of the Indian, but it now has 2 houses at the end. My mum and dad sent left over veg to a bungalow a few doors down that had goats. We all drank goat’s milk!”
- Janine Linda Keeler nee Bottomley, Messenger 2024
The bungalow became the Rose Garden Chinese takeaway in 1972.
“I’m sure it was our first Chinese food outlet and it didn’t do fish and chips.”
- Gareth J Bond, Facebook 2021
In 1976 ladies and gent’s toilets were added inside for customer’s use. In 1976 planning was granted to Mr P L Lee to part change the building from residential to restaurant.
In 1977 an application by Mr AP Hynes, was refused to change the part residential, part Chinese food takeaway into a quality car sales retail display showroom. The kitchen and restaurant were altered in 1978.
In March 1979, Mr A Mannan made an application to construct a building incorporating the present bungalow to form a restaurant. The application was refused. He tried again in June 1979 and December 1979 and both were refused.
In 1981 permission was granted for alterations and extensions to convert the existing shop to a restaurant. There were no associated documents with this but I would assume it was Mr Mannan again.
Fig. 48 Wilmslow Road 1982
© Peter Ford
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The two bungalows can be clearly seen behind the marathon runners. Nearest is the Chinese takeaway and then Handyman’s.
The Chinese burnt down on 22nd Dec 1983 ...
“There was a massive crater in the footpath outside where the ground had collapsed in.”
- Richard Osborne, Facebook 2021
In November 1984, again with no associated documents, permission was granted for a new restaurant with a car park.
Mr Mannan’s Aligarh Indian Restaurant opened in August 1985 part of which can still be seen behind the Sangam frontage.
Fig. 49 Old bungalow (no. 202) 20.7.2025
© H Morgan
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Fig. 50 Aligarh Restaurant advert
1986 Rose Queen programme
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In May 1987 Mr Mannan was refused permission to build a house and garage behind the restaurant. In February 1989 he was successful. The buildings are still there on Mableden Close.
“Where the Sangam is, the brick building it is now was built for the Aligarh Indian Restaurant. The owner built a home for himself at the back of the rear carpark. That’s where my addiction to Indian cuisine first started.”
- Phil Thompson, Facebook 2025
The restaurant was still there in 1999 advertising in the Heald Green Festival programme.
By 2004 the restaurant had become Sangam 111 owned by Mr M Salim, or Saleem Salin or Salim Mohammed depending on which application you look at. He was just “Saleem” to his customers.
In March 2004, an application for a rear conservatory and storage was withdrawn. In July 2004, in a joint application with Tubs and Loos, permission was granted for a full front extension across both properties.
Fig. 51 Sangam 111 - July 2015
© Google Maps
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The restaurant closed In April 2019 and was taken over by La Finesse Bar and Grill who gave the interior a major overhaul. From an extensive menu you seemed to be able to get any type of food. Then Covid-19 struck.
Fig. 52 La Finesse to Long Lane Post Office 23.10.2021
© H Morgan
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The Sangam returned here in September 2022 and are still open for business in 2025. They have other restaurants on Portland Street in Manchester and Wilmslow Road in Didsbury.
Next door to these bungalows was a motor dealer in the 1930s that became Milk’s garage. You can read the full article about this site going from Milk’s to the Coop here.
Next to the garage from 1935 was Walter Mathers’ Garden Nursery. By 1939 there was also Thomas William Mathers, to help Walter Stanley, both nurserymen. Mathers, trading as Long Lane Nurseries, would remain until the land was sold after its closure in 1975. Mableden Close would later be built there.
Fig. 53 Mathers Nursery advert
Heald Green Herald June 1970
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“My grandparents ran Chantlers Nursery on Outwood Road and my uncle owned and ran Mathers Nursery, next to the garage.”
- Neil Broughton, Facebook 2021
As more and more cars arrived on our roads, the safety of pedestrians and school children became paramount.
Fig. 54 Pedestrian crossing article
Alderley and Wilmslow Advertiser 28.11.1952
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In June 1963, recommendations for the improvement in safety of the zebra crossing was sent to the Urban District Council and Police. By September 1963, there was some progress after consultation with the Police and Council Surveyor. The crossing was to be repainted and illuminated at night. The flashing beacons were to be improved and the 30mph speed signs were to be doubled in size.
School crossing patrols were being advertised by June 1965 with full training and uniform and £100 a year salary.
By Christmas 1973, Councillor Ron Stenson was on the case to have the crossing changed to a pelican crossing. In Spring 1974, it had been approved by the Department of Environment but was going to be moved to outside number 184 Wilmslow Road (outside the newsagent’s shop) and had been referred on to SMBC. By August 1975 the pelican crossing was in place, where it is today and it replaced the zebra crossing.
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I just had to collate the memories of the lollipop lady, Mrs Massey, who patrolled the crossing on Wilmslow Road.
“The zebra crossing was there in 1962 manned by Mrs Massey the crossing lady who lived on Bradshaw Hall Lane. I crossed there twice a day (I went home for lunch) when I was at Cheadle Etchells 1962-64.”
“I remember Mrs Massey the crossing lady. We knew her as Mrs "over thank you" which is what she would say to you when she put her lollipop up to stop the traffic.”
- Hazel Hankinson, Facebook 2021
“My first memory of arriving in Heald Green was at this crossing. I had just turned 7; we were moving from Denton to Syddall Avenue on a school day- and I wasn’t at school but moving. I don’t recall the journey until this point. My father braked sharply at the crossing to stop and let Mrs Massey, the lollipop lady, help children cross. I clung on to my pet fish in its open fishbowl, hoping too much water wouldn’t splosh out. I won’t have been wearing a seat belt, they weren’t compulsory. The next car my dad had, a Zephyr, had a bench seat in the front and no belt in the middle, even if you’d wanted one. If I sat up front between mum and dad, which was great fun, my father would fling his arm across the front of me when he braked.”
“I remember being asked to go down and cross the road numerous times the day the inspectors were there counting to see if it was worthy of the expense.”
“I went home for lunch too. Mrs Massey still worked the crossing whilst I went to Etchells even though a pelican crossing system had been installed.”
- Colin Barnsley, Facebook 2021
“I remember we had a school lollipop lady as it wasn’t a pelican while I was going to Etchells.”
- Julie Bamber, Facebook 2021
Finally, as a Long Laner myself, I asked if perhaps our shops could get some flowerbeds, like the ones regularly planted at Finney Lane shops. With funding from Stockport Council and Girl Guiding in Heald Green, the request was granted.
On a dry but cold morning in January 2024, the Heald Green Team and Ratepayers volunteers planted up two new tubs. A lot goes on behind the scenes in the village to make our outdoor spaces lovely. From flowerbeds baskets and tubs to the rose beds and raised beds near the library and fingerpost house, as well as the litter picks.
A big thank you to everyone who puts our community first. On the day we all got brews and jaffa cakes from Saleem too!
Fig. 55 New flowerbeds 13.1.2024
© H Morgan
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This has been a complicated set of shops to unravel their stories. A big thank you to everyone who has given their wonderful memories for us all to look back on, as a moment in time.
Many thanks also to landlords and business owners for all their help, it has been very much appreciated.
Bibliography
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Wikipedia
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The Editor, June 1963, Heald Green Jottings, Contact Magazine, 1 (3), p.p.15
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The Editor, September 1963, Pedestrian Crossing, Wilmslow Road Long Lane, Contact Magazine, 1 (4), p.p. 4
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The Editor, June 1965, School Crossing Patrols, Contact Magazine, 3(2) p.p. 13
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Councillor Ron Stenson, Christmas 1973, The Jottings, Crossing Wilmslow Road, Contact Magazine, 42, p.p.4
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The Editor, Spring 1974, Pelican Crossing, Crossing Wilmslow Road/Bradshaw Hall Lane, Contact Magazine, 43, p.p. 5
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The Editor, September 1975, Council Jottings, Contact Magazine, 49, p.p.5
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