Shop signs for F.A. Woodroffe and Son jewellers and silversmiths and Masterman menswear over Nos. 58 and 59 High Street, Stockton. c1955Railings for a bus stop outside Nos. 58 and 59 High Street, Stockton. c1955The insurance companys offices above 58 and 59 High Street, Stockton, included in a general view of nos. 58 and 59. c1955Nos. 58 and 59 High Street, Stockton. No. 58 F.A. Woodroffe and Son, jeweller, silversmith,optician, watches and clocks(1879-1963). Above No. 58, H. Farnaby, commercial stationer and office appliance supplier, also United Friendly Insurance Company Ltd. No. 59, Masterman menswear(1954-70) this shop was occupied by John Walker, chemist and druggist from 1819-1857. Demolished c1970. photo c1955Farnabys premises situated on the top floor of 58 and 59 High Street, Stockton (1954-61), included in a general view of Nos. 58 and 59 c1955 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Masterson”s was a couple of doors down from the Vane Arms towards the parish church. You can see its position on a different photo. Use Picture Stockton”s search facility and look up “Vane Arms”. Image S577 shows Mastermans and all the adjacent properties on that part of the High Street.
If you were to stand at the south end of the Shambles and look east, then you would be looking directly to where Masterman and Laesers would of stood. The Vane Arm”s Hotel is also to the right of Laeser”s sweetshop.
There is a plaque on the wall next to Boot”s which gives information to John Walker, so it was on that site. However the shop where John Walker set up his shop is 59 High Street, Woodroffe the Jewellers is 58 High Street. There is another plaque on the opposite side of the High Street No:104 above the Bookmakers where John Walker was born, strangely enough this is where the old Boots shop used to be.
Can anyone tell me whereabouts on the high street the Mastermans shop was, which used to be John Walker”s chemist shop? Is it where Boots is now? Or on the other side of the street? I”ve tried to work it out from my copy of Strike a Light but maybe I”m a bit dense, because I can”t figure it out exactly!