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Sharing our memories of Heald Green
Last Updated 16th November 2025
256 and 258 Finney Lane
By Helen Morgan
First Published 10/08/2025
Last Updated 09/09/2025
Without doubt, numbers 146/148 that became 258, has proved very difficult to timeline with many businesses and one hit wonders,
but here goes! This row was here by 1935.
Fig. 1 - 256 to 258 Finney Lane 8.7.2024
© C Durham
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144/256 Finney Lane
In 1935 there were three people listed at this address. George Mayell a grocer, Miss Kathleen Moore a draper, and Mrs P Oliver a ladies’ hairdresser. By 1938 there was just George listed.
Fig. 2 Phyllis E Oliver, hairdresser.
Advert Sale of work Methodist Church Nov 1935
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Mrs Oliver sounds very chic, having worked for “Maurice” in the very posh King Street area of Manchester. Having a wave in your hair was all the rage and every film star had them. They were made with revolutionary heated curling irons!
Fig. 3 Example of Marcel waving
© Abe Books
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Everyone remembers Bill’s Bakers here but look at the shop number on this advert!
Fig. 4 Bills
Advert Sale of work Methodist Church Nov 1935
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Number 142 ... That was John Williams grocers, where Nafees is now. In 1935 the shops in between had not been built. Bill’s Confectioners as it was known, was still at 142 up to 1940. However, the confectioner, Louisa Walsh and her apprentice, Robert H Mayell aged 17, lived at 144, according to the 1939 register. Perhaps he was the son of George? Either way I never got to the bottom of who Bill was, as he could have been a Bob!! In the end I had to plump for it being alliteration, Bill’s Bakers.
Their phones were using the Gatley telephone exchange as Heald Green did not get one until 1958.
In 1955 the Jagla family took over the business at number 144. Their shop is still remembered to this day with great affection, even though it closed in 1987 when Stefan Jagla retired. The article about the life and times of living and working in the bakery from the wonderful memories of the three Jagla sisters can be read here.
Whilst they were there the number changed to 256 Finney Lane.
After Bill’s came FB3s. A shop selling cards, wrapping paper, bows, balloons, flowers and gifts. I always remember it as a bit expensive, but you could always buy something special from in there. I spoke to Lynne Barber in 2022, who was the shop’s manager for some of the time. This is what she told me.
“I worked at New Look wallpaper and paints first from 1997-2002, which was the same side as Café Unity. Then I went to Cheadle Hulme for a short time. Then I managed FB3 further up and it was the old bakery which was next to a Chinese. I managed FB3 for about 7-8 years. I wasn’t there from it opening, that was Elaine. I was there when it closed and Rabeela Assam took over and I worked for her for quite a while. She bought it off Saf Ismail who had bought the business from Roger.”
- Lynne Barber, in conversation 2022
Fig. 5 FB shop Apr 2009
© Google Maps
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By 2011 the shop had become Elegance.
“Think the name of the shop after FB3 and before Westwood was Elegance. It used to have the name engraved in the ramp.”
- Susan Close, Facebook 2022
Fig. 6 From Aug 2011
© Google Maps
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By 2015 the shop had branched out onto the pavement to serve drinks and the sign had had an upgrade too.
Fig. 7 Coral, Sols, HG Oriental, Elegance Apr 2015
© Google Maps
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Elegance was gone by 2017 and a new sign appeared. This would be One Stop Property Services.
Fig. 8 From March 2017
© Google Maps
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Fig. 9 From August 2018
© Google Maps
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At some point there was also a letting agent called Atwells, before the shop became Westwood Homecare with its distinctive purple signage.
Fig. 10 Westwood Homecare 26.2.2021
© H Morgan
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In July 2021 a retrospective planning application was applied for to extend the rear of this property, accessed down the side of the building. Application number DC/082077.
Fig. 11 Planning application
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By mid-2022, Westwood Homecare moved to the end of the row, rebranding as WHC, and this unit became the Genesis group. It was a group of companies that dealt with property management, investment, lettings, maintenance and finance.
Fig. 12 No 256 - Genesis and door for other businesses 28.6.2024
© H Morgan
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In October 2024 there was a planning application under reference DC/093663 to convert the premises into a restaurant/takeaway. At the beginning of June 2025, the building opened as a Japanese takeaway with some tables inside too.
Fig. 13 Iso opening day 2.6.2025
© Ben Wright
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The bakehouse down the passageway at the side of the shop has also had various businesses in it too. After Bill’s Bakers closed in 1987, an application went in for a dance studio that was withdrawn. It may have been an office of some sort next. In 2006 there was a planning application to change the use from an office to a toning and weight loss centre. It became a ladies’ gym called Ladyzone. It was recorded as a vacant gym by 2014.
Fig. 14 Ladyzone Apr 2009
© Google Maps
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“I remember the toning tables. Ladyzone in the building at the back.”
- Sara Woods, Facebook 2021
“It was a kind of gym where you sit in the machine and it does all the work for you! You just sit there. It didn’t work though.”
- Carole McCann, Facebook 2021
At some point it was a bridal gown shop for a short while. Today it is HNC Technical Services Limited that deals with air conditioning.
Fig. 15 The yard behind the shops
© H Morgan 30.06.2024
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Fig. 16 The Old Bakehouse
© H Morgan 30.06.2024
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146 and 148 Finney Lane were separate units. By the early 1960s, they became 258 and the Coop was already trading from there.
146 Finney Lane
This shop was Lloyds greengrocers in 1935.
Fig. 17 J W Lloyd
Advert Sale of work Methodist Church Nov 1935
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By 1938 it was a draper’s shop run by Mrs Hester Birch. The 1939 register shows Mr Alber E Birch, an unemployed house furnishers manager and Mrs Hester A Birch, a draper. The business continued until at least 1952. I could not find her after that year. Prior to the Coop trading from there, it may have been a different type of shop.
Fig. 18 Finney Lane c1952
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This is c.1952 and so the drapers would have been the middle shop.
148 Finney Lane
In 1935, J. J. Williamson Ltd, fruiterers were there. Also, in 1935 the shop became John Wm. Lloyd, fruiterer and fish. It was also in 146, before Mrs Birch arrived. There was a bank raid in 1935 over the road at the County Bank (Good Burger now). Mr Lloyd saw what was happening and chased one of the robbers down Neal Avenue and caught him on Brown Lane! He was later rewarded for his bravery by the judge.
Fig. 19 Finney Lane 1947 or 1948.
The greengrocer's is on the corner of Neal Ave and Finney Lane
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In the 1939 register, the Lloyd family lived in 148A above the shop. John was a greengrocer, poultry dealer and fishmonger. His wife Sarah was doing unpaid domestic duties. Their daughter Lucy, born 1910, was incapacitated. The entry for another person had been redacted.
In flat 148B, the Harrison family were living. Eleanor a widow, doing unpaid domestic duties and Dorothy was a ladies hairdresser.
Into the 1940s the shop was still a greengrocers, run by HC and E Wells. Then came Robinsons shop, with no connection to Robinson’s farm, before the Coop arrived, perhaps by the late 1950s.
Fig. 20 Robinsons advert Sept 1947
The Review Ratepayers Association
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258 Finney Lane
This now incorporated 146 and 148 as a single shop number by 1962. The Stockport branch of the Co-Operative Society Limited was formed in 1959 and began trading from number 148, whilst also having a Coop greengrocers over the road at number 217, where The Brew is now.
A new glass door was put in between the two units, that was only removed in January 2025, and the Coop then used both 146 and 148 as a grocers on the left through the door and a butchers on the right.
Fig. 21 Old Co-op door 22.6.2024
© H Morgan
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“I remember it being there. I used to take my mum’s order book in on a Wednesday so it could be delivered on Friday. I still remember the Coop number 04173. I suppose it was just like the points system in Tesco’s. You used to get a ticket with your number on and how much you’d spent. Then you would stick it on an A4 sticky sheet. When it was full you took it into the shop and I suppose you got money off. I’m sure your number was called your dividend number, divvy for short.”
- Lynda Jackson, Facebook 2021
“I remember going in the Coop with my son who was then 3 years old, he is now 49. He took a bite out of a crusty loaf which I had to buy. In them days nothing was in packaging.”
- Christine Kinlin, Facebook 2021
“The corner shop was once a Coop. When it closed down Bert, who worked at the butcher’s counter relocated to the Coop at the bottom of Gill Bent Road in Cheadle Hulme, where I used to work with him until he retired in 1985.”
- Jonathan Nobbs, Facebook 2021
“I remember it being on the corner and going in with my granny, so that would be in the early 60s.”
- Susan Franklin, Facebook 2021
“Definitely there in the 50s. We had to purchase tokens from the Coop that you gave the milkman to pay for your milk. Maybe they didn’t want the milkman to carry cash or it was a child benefit scheme as mum had just had my sister. I remember them being wrapped into a cone out of old newspaper.”
- Jean Taylor, Facebook 2021
“I remember using the Coop for shopping in 1974 when I first moved to Heald Green. The meat from the butcher’s was great.”
- Eileen Weaver, Facebook 2021
“It was definitely the Coop on that corner during the 50s.”
- Marilyn Connolly, Facebook 2021
Fig. 22 Coop advert The Advertiser 27.7.1962
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“The Coop was next door to Bill’s bakery, where my wife lived from the mid-fifties to early seventies. It was there from her earliest memory so certainly 1960. The butcher’s part was on the right hand side. In the mid ‘60s the manager was Bert and his assistant Jeff.”
- Mike Coulson, Facebook 2021
“The Coop was next door to our shop (Bill’s bakers) with a grocers and butchers. I wanted to marry Jeff who worked there. I think he emigrated to Oz, but I was about 5 with a crush! I remember getting divi stamps, sticking them onto sheets and getting a divi back.”
- Janet Woolf, In conversation 2022
​The shop became Norwest Cooperative as seen in the advert for the Silver Jubilee of 1977.
Fig. 23 Norwest Coop
1977 Jubilee Contact magazine
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Fig. 24 Rose Queen parade through the village, Coop in background
Date Unknown
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The Coop was still there in 1979. Once they left things get tricky as the unit, still under number 258, split back into separate businesses. I will call them left and right hand side.
258 Finney Lane (Right hand side as you look at the building)
Into the 1980s now and residents could remember a travel agent’s business. I found Sterling Travel in a planning application for a shop sign in 1988 and also an advert from the same year.
​
The Gilbert family ran the travel agency here. It never really took off and so it became Sterling Commercial accountants. The family then left the village, before returning to set up their accountancy business above The Brew at 217 Finney Lane. They are still there today.
Fisk Swain and Co Solicitors were next door.
​
Fig. 25 Sterling Travel c.1988
© Carl Gilbert
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Carl%20Gilbert%20photo.jpg)
Fig. 26 Sterling Travel
Rose Queen programme 1988
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“I worked for an accountant/bookkeepers called Sterling Commercial in the late 80s early 90s perhaps. It was next door to FB3 and was downstairs.”
- Jacqueline Garnett, Facebook 2022
In February 1992, the Stockport Times did a full page feature on Ruth Clement’s Cambridge Diet and Impressions toning tables that had opened opposite, where The Brew is now. The girls of 9i coffee shop at 258 Finney Lane wished them well. That must have then become Fleurs coffee shop owned by Carol Barlow. It was still there in 1994.
Fig. 27 Fleurs 258 Finney Lane advert
HG Methodist church magazine Xmas 1993
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In 1994 applications were refused for a takeaway shop and the Canadian Charcoal Pit. In 1999 a restaurant was refused.
By the Summer of 2000, this was a shop called Tasty Fried Chicken but it was gone by 2002. The name Ollie’s has been mentioned, perhaps it was the same shop?
“There was a fried chicken place called Ollie’s fried chicken.”
- Karen Murphy, Facebook 2022
Fig. 28 Tasty Chicken advert
HG Festival Programme 2000
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Next came Heald Green Chippy. Salam Ahmed, the owner of Birds fried chicken shop there now, found old papers and letters when he was renovating the unit along with an old roller shutter dated 1986, indicating that there was a shop front not on the main road! Just not sure how though.
Fig. 29 What they found at Birds
© Salam Ahmed 2022
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By 2009 China Pantry was there until at least 2011. Heald Green Oriental took over by 2015.
Fig. 30 China Pantry FB3 Ladyzone
© Google maps Apr 2009
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Fig. 31 Apr 2015
© Google maps
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In 2021 the unit was renovated and opened as Bird’s Fried Chicken by Salam Ahmed as 258C Finney Lane.
Fig. 32 Birds exterior and Salam 28.6.2024
© H Morgan
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Fig. 33 Birds owner Salam Ahmed 28.6.2024
© H Morgan
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The roller shutter he found was on the left hand wall as you walk in. In December 2021 a planning application DC/083764, was requested for an extension of this unit at the back.
However as of June 2025 this has not happened.
Fig. 34 Proposed plan for behind 258C
Dec 2021
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Fig. 35 Behind Birds 29.6.2025
© H Morgan
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258 Finney Lane (Left hand side as you look at the building)
This side has proved trickier to timeline. Into the 1980s and there were a few shops in quick succession. Residents have spoken about a motorbike shop here and I vaguely remember it. Unfortunately, I could not get a name for the business.
Next there was an organ shop that residents remembered. I thought I had cracked it when by accident I came across an advert for Taylor’s. They were there in 1984.
Fig. 36 Taylors 258 Finney Lane
Macclesfield Express Advertiser 19/12/85
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However, residents remember the shop by different names!!
“I remember Dawson’s the piano shop.”
- Diana Renko, Facebook 2022
“There was definitely an organ/piano shop there. I was relatively young so I’d say the organ shop was probably 80s.”
- Sue Turner, Facebook 2022
“Definitely a music shop as I bought my piano there. Paid for it out of the money my dad left me- he died in March 1984, so probably bought it that year or the next. Pretty sure it was called Dawson’s. The chap who ran it was a Mr Jepson whose wife was a midwife in Heald Green Health Centre.”
- Binnie Thompson, Facebook 2022
“I remember buying a keyboard there about 1983 but I don’t remember it being called Taylor’s. I checked with my son; it was definitely 1983 and I think the salesman (not sure if he was the owner) was called Neil. My son remembers the shop being called “Neil’s organs”. He used to get all his music books there, so was a regular customer. He says he loved going in that shop, as Neil was a lovely, friendly man who encouraged him.”
- Sue Bowden, Facebook 2024
Residents could remember a Bang and Olufsen electrical shop here too. I searched high and low for it to no avail and then by accident found an advert that placed the business within the music shop!!
“I remember the shop selling Bang and Olufson. I can’t recall when that was though. I think it was while I still lived in Heald Green so that means it was before 1987. But the mists of time can play tricks!”
- Philip Bradley, Facebook 2022
Fig. 37 Manchester Evening News 15.3.1984
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“I remember my dad buying a B&O “music centre” from there in November 1984.”
- Phil Dean, Facebook 2025
Fisk Swain and Co solicitors were there by 1988, having moved from 198A Finney Lane. The Leeds Permanent Building Society was there then.
Fig. 38 Fisk Swain and Co advert
HG Methodist church magazine Summer 1992
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Residents also remember around this time the Bradford and Bingley Building Society.
By 1994 Barr Longton solicitors were there.
“I remember Bradford and Bingley being on the corner about 1991. It was downstairs.”
- Daz Price, Facebook 2022
“Wasn’t the corner one Bradford and Bingley Building Society in the early 90s. I remember going in there with my mum when I was a kid.”
- Anthony John, Facebook 2022
“I opened an account there before they became a bank. I would say 1999/200I don’t think it was part of a solicitors. Not sure when they moved in.”
- Dona Saunders, Facebook 2022
Fig. 39 Barr Longton advert
HG Methodist church magazine Dec 1994
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I remember a rather odd shop that sold unusual furniture like huge coffee tables with carved wooden feet and glass tops, table lamps, big mirrors with large ornate frames and marble statues, all laid out as a window display. The shop was called Lights and Things. Thankfully someone else remembered it too!
“I also remember the same shop selling like lava lamps and weird marble and glass coffee tables. Probably late 90s early 2000s.”
- Anthony John, Facebook 2022
We all know Tubs and Loos from Wilmslow Road, but for a short time they were on the corner of Neal Avenue. I spoke to the Osborne family for help.
“I think we took the shop over sometime in 1999. I’m trying to work dates back in my head. I know it was around the same time Youngs closed as that’s why we opened up. We closed the shop and used it for storage until the lease was up. I think it was empty then until the bookies took it over.”
- Jayne Berry nee Osborne, Facebook 2022
In 2004 Paul Dean’s bookmakers moved from the corner of Outwood Drive to this unit. By 2009 this had become Coral Bookmakers. By the end of 2020 it was gone.
Fig. 40 August 2011
© Google Maps
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Fig. 41 Coral 26.2.2021
© H Morgan
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The building then underwent major refurbishment and the door across the corner was eventually bricked up.
Fig. 42 Coral 12.12.2021
© H Morgan
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Fig. 43 Coral from Neal Ave 12.12.2021
© H Morgan
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A planning application from Papa Johns Pizza company in June 2021, to turn the building from a bookmakers to a hot food establishment, never materialised. However, in 2022 Westwood Homecare from two doors down, rebranded as WHC, moved into 258.
Fig. 44 WHC care support 22.6.2024
© H Morgan
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In 2024 work commenced on building a smaller unit on the corner of Neal Avenue. As of July 2024, it had been let and was being fitted out inside.
Fig. 45 New unit on corner Neal Ave 17.2.2024
© H Morgan
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Fig. 46 Empowher 28.11.2024
© H Morgan
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In December 2024 the unit opened as a ladies only strength and fitness studio called Empowher.
Upstairs above 258 Finney Lane
To gain entry to the rooms above, there are some very steep stairs to climb, after passing through the double glass doors still etched with the Stockport Cooperative’s name (now gone).
By 2011 David Burke and Steven Clarke, both renowned solicitors from Wolstenhomes, had set up their legal business here writing wills and doing Power of Attorneys.
Fig. 47 Apr 2015
© Google Maps
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In 2019 Sun Barbers were there.
Fig. 48 Sun Barbers Aug 2019
© Google Maps
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In December 2021 under application number DC/083826, planning was requested for a proposed first floor extension to existing hairdressers for use as beauty treatment rooms.
Figs. 49 & 50
Planning application for two beauty rooms
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By 2021, Gent 211 barbers had opened. By December 2024 it had closed. There was now competition a few doors down, in a new barbers shop called Gara Barber, that had opened in November 2024.
Fig. 51 Gent 211 door 22.6.2024
© H Morgan
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Fig. 52 Gent 211 door upstairs at 258AB 22.6.2024
© H Morgan
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After the barbers moved out, the etched Co-op glass doors have been removed to make a more secure point of entry for the upstairs tenants.
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Fig. 53 new door between 256 and 258 17.1.2025
© H Morgan
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In April 2025 work began on the building application from December 2021. However by then there was not a hairdressing business up on the first floor?
Fig. 54 Above 258 being built 2.5.2025
© H Morgan
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Fig. 56 Above 258 19.5.2025
© H Morgan
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Fig. 58 Side elevation plan for 258
Dec 2021
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Fig. 55 Roof installation 10.5.2025
© Ben Wright
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Fig. 57 Corner of Neal Ave 22.5.2025
© H Morgan
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Fig. 59 Above 258 29.6.2025
© H Morgan
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With extra windows and skylights upstairs and the original windows and door downstairs, the building seems not as the drawing on the planning application. We await to see the outcome once built and what this new build will be retrospectively.
Fig. 60 Taken 2.10.2022
© H Morgan
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Fig. 61 Taken 12.6.2025
© H Morgan
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Thank you to everyone who has helped me piece together the timeline for this complicated set of shops.
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