Description:
Southchurch Drive to right; shops shown: Freeman Hardy Willis (shoe shop), Turner's (bakers) and Forbouy's (newsagents).
Website contributor T Wilson very kindly relates the following information: 'The Freeman, Hardy and Willis in the photograph had an x-ray machine where the assistant or your mother could view your toes through the shoes to see how they fitted into the shoes being purchased. Great fun to see your feet through your shoes. The x-ray viewer was housed in a polished dark wood construction with a platform, the child would stand on the platform and poke his/hers feet into the opening to reveal their toes within the shoe viewed from the top of the equipment. Not sure who made these, if they were only in FHW shops or any other technical details. Wonderful piece of kit. (Probably pre dated this photo, certainly their late 50's).'