THE CRAFT SHOP, The Dunns, Mumbles, by Pauline Belton, née Phillips
Includes a pictorial journey down the years
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THE CRAFT SHOP, with my mother, Muriel Phillips standing on the front step of the shop, under the sign hand-painted by my father, Claude.
The shop sign was hand painted by Claude Phillips.
THE CRAFT SHOP was situated in The Dunns, 125, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, opposite the Nag's Head Public House and next door to T. Matthews Jeweler's Shop (photo below). Each shop had a flat upstairs and a cellar.
The shop was owned by my parents, Claude & Muriel. Phillips, who had previously a small Craft Shop at 2A, Queens Road, Mumbles from May 1954 until March 1956. THE CRAFT SHOP in the Dunns opened in April 1956, and the photograph above shows my mother, Muriel standing on the front step of the shop, under the sign hand-painted by my father, Claude.
The goods sold in THE CRAFT SHOP ranged from Airfix models to Haberdashery, Greetings cards and small Fancy goods and Handicraft materials including Jeweler making. The shop ceased trading in 1970 when plans were made for demolition of the shops along that side of the road in the October of that year. The first three shops on the Swansea end, had gone a few years before, as they were the first to be built in the 1870s (probably with separate ground leases) on the site which was previously occupied by Dunns Mansion.
By Pauline Belton (née Phillips)
The Dunns during its demolition, with The Craft Shop and T. Matthews Jeweler who later moved to 4, Cormwall Place, c.1970.
The seaward side of the Dunns during the demolition of the final section, October 1970. The first three shops on the Swansea end, had gone a few years before, around 1966, as they were the first to be built in the 1870s, on the site which was previously occupied by Dunns Mansion and would have had separate ground leases. .
BEFORE
The seaward side of the Dunns, early 1970, showing Forte's Icream Parlour on the entrance to Oystermouth Square, then a bus station.
DURING
The Dunns during its complete demolition, October 1970, showing Forte's Icream Parlour on the entrance to Oystermouth Square, then a bus station.
BEFORE
A view from Tower of All Saints' Church, showing all of the The Dunns, including Fortes and the Tivoli Cinema, Photo David P.
More shops and a Oddfellows Hall, were built on the seaward side of The Dunns. The sea wall ran along the Mumbles Road, from The Methodist Church to Southend.
The first three shops built on the seaward side of the Dunns, c. 1870. The Turnpike Road was opened in 1826, from Swansea to The George Public House, Southend.
More: The Dunns collection >
More: An Amble Along The Dunns >
More: Shopping Down the Years >