Date unclear but would be pre 1950 as there are trolley bus lines evident. This view clearly shows the entrance to the arcade where one entrance was in the centre of the Park Road side of the store under the grand arched window. The other entrance to the arcade was to the left of the blinds where some people can be seen. under a further arched window. For quite a number of years before the store closed , the Stockton Street side of the arcade was blocked and became part of the store, and then the Park Road side of it was also closed off.

HHT&N931

Shortly before it closed completely, most of the trading was done on the ground floor selling decorating,DIY, hardware and soft furnishings rather than the vast range of goods which had been sold throughout the life of the store.

HHT+N 979

In September 1958, a new state of the art cafe was opened on the top floor of the Central Stores and was accessed by stairs or a lift in the centre of the store.

On the 'specials' menu is a 3 course meal including stuffed roast heart. Lovely !

Central Stores Park Road. A view of the stores looking up Park Road.

Taken from Musgrave Street, the image shows the construction of the store which opened around 1914. Note the advert for The Royal.

The Co-operative Central Stores in 1973.  The building still stands on the corner of Park Road and Stockton Street.

HHT&N 850

Central Stores looking up Park Road, taken from Stockton Street, Hartlepool

Co-Operative Central Stores, Park Road, Hartlepool

HHT+N 737

Central Stores, Park Road, Hartlepool

Co-op delivery horse and cart.

Co-op delivery horse and cart.

The Haberdashery department of the Co-operative store.

HHT&N 887

This photograph has most likely been taken in the ladies' undergarment department of the Central Stores in the early 1950s. The ladies are posed to look at a range of corsets.

On the advert to the left above the ladies it says CWS Desbeau which must have been a model of bra!

HHt&N 932

Taken during construction, the view looks down on the Stockton Street/ Park Road corner.

Billy Henderson and other trainees checking the butter stock in the Co-op Central Stores in the late 1960s. From left to right: - Burns, Terry Measor, John Stafford (Manager), Billy Henderson, -Jackson.

Looking East down Park Road, Hartlepool towards Pierce's Opticians, with the Central Stores on the right.

The two men on the left are on the corner of Park Street and the next street on the left with Ward Jackson School beyond is Rokeby Street. On the right, the street visible between the terrace of shops is York Street. The view taken in 1955 looks towards The Central Stores.

The photo was from a photographic record of the Central Area of West Hartlepool prepared in 1955/6 at the request of the Town Planning and Redevelopment Committee 'in the hope that it will be of interest to future generations of West Hartlepool'  

The record focuses on areas which were within the next ten years to be completely redeveloped following The Max Lock Plan. It was compiled by WL Taylor and photographs developed by Thomas Clarkson Chemist of Tower Street.

Probably taken in the late 1950s, the image shows buses passing outside the Central Stores. This for many years was the bus route through Musgrave St, Lynn St and Church Street between Rift House and Hart Avenue/ Thornhill Gardens. Pierce Opticians is clearly visible in the cenre on Stockton St and the hoarding on the left advertises Halfords.

Rear of terraced buildings in Musgrave Street (?) with the Central Stores Dome in the background

Salavation army hostel long gone, just the old co-op building standing

Probably taken in the early 2000s before The Stranton closed and reopened as a Visitor Centre and The Brewery Tap. Possibly the construction work behind the Central Stores is the beginning of Park Towers residential development.

hht&n2033