I took this photograph c1979 as part of my preliminary observations and sketches for a painting that I did while studying A-level art at Stockton VI Form College. The painting I did of Winpennys still hangs on my wall.
The shop was just up the road from John Walker Square, on the same side of the road. What happened to the shop? I haven’t been back to Stockton for many years.
Photograph and details courtesy of Maggi Davis.
This shop was an amazing place, Iloved it, I used to buy my collars here in the 60’s when stiff collars were seen as fashionable by some of the teenagers such as me. My mother and father were also very friendly with the Winpennys. The shop had a great history and some famous customers.
Yes, I managed to visit Stockton in the last week or so, and made a point of looking at the front of the shop, the name is still there but that was all…..yes it looked like a toy shop had taken over the premises. Maybe next time I’m in Stockton I will visit Preston Park to see the frontage.
Maggi – I would love to see the painting that you did of my father’s shop, how strange that I just decided to look on this site when you have just posted your picture. I have also posted photos of mine on here showing the different shop front and also the interior. The shop is now looking very scruffy and is being run as a toy shop, my father and grandfather would be turning in their graves seeing it like that.
hi gillian,hope you are well.not sure if you remember me,it certainly was along time ago.if your dad’s shop or part of it is in preston park, next time i’m home,i’ll be taking alook.take care.
Terry, If you want to see the shop front as shown in this picture, or as close to it as you will get, you will just need to visit the High Street as it is still there.
Thanks for the info, Jonathan.
Hi Gillian,
The name ‘Winpenny; is very unusual and I’m therefore wondering if there is any connection with the large property in Yarm High St, i.e. on the corner of Low Church Wynd? This is still known as Winpenny House, despite having been converted from a once large private residence, to shops & offices on all 3-levels.
The Ernest Winpenny shop at No.45 Stockton High St was unique, as it had a ‘double height’ shop, in respect of the ‘mezzanine floor’, complete with a cast-iron decorative balustrade (and accessed via a spiral staircase), that ran around 3-sides of the upper level..
Was your father George Ernest Winpenny b 1910? And was he an athlete who trained with John Joseph Martin, winning an AAA championship?
Hi Anne, Yes that is our dad. I will let my sister Gill know you have posted this
The building is still there, although now it is a toy shop.
Winnpennys was sited between Clydesdales (furniture) and the Yorkshire Bank I believe it was moved and re-built at Preston Park Museum. I could be wrong but someone will tell us.
I think the Clinkards (corner of High St & Finkle St) shop front was saved and incorporated into the Victorian Street at Preston Park. Was it the only one?
As was:
https://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/stockton-high-street-c1950s-2/
In the Preston Park Victorian Street:
https://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2006/03/02/preston-hall-museum-1985/
Now the tearoom:
http://www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk/the-victorian-street/watson-brigham/
I’m obviously MUCH older than your good self – when I was younger it was the Yorkshire Penny Bank!
Part of the shop front for ‘E Winpenny’ can be found at Preston Park Museum.
Think this shop is still there but has been modernised a bit.
This shop was an opticians now it is a toy shop
Hi Maggi, No 45 High Street, now Winpenny House is still there, it’s right next to the Town Hall. It’s currently a toy shop.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.564199,-1.312677,3a,75y,96.47h,92.89t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s5hPr6d4hWpJvgQ4UMT0Djg!2e0?hl=en
Let’s hope it gets some TLC to maintain this rare gem on Stockton High Street.