Description:
Frances Everard Grain acquired the premises of 51 Bridlesmith gate in the early 1930s. Previously his business was located at 53 Houndsgate. His sons Eric and Ron were both involved with the business but as WWII started in 1939 both sons were called for active service. The business was suspended for the duration of the war. Floss Grain kept the premises clean and in order awaiting the return of Eric and Ron to reopen the business. Underneath the premises was a workshop, basically a cave. The business was reopened after WWII but did not enjoy the sucess of previous years and closed down in about 1951. The ground floor was rented out to a dry cleaners, Nobles. Some of the premises upstairs was let to a ladies hairdresser, Ella Bertholt. The premises was also the birthplace of Grains Sewing Machine business, a nephew of E.Leslie Grain commenced building sewing machines in part of the premises and as his business expanded he moved to larger premises. F. Everard Grain died in 1961.
The picture shows the premises of F E Grain, Building Contractors, standing at the junction with Bridlesmith Gate. His sign offers plumbing, painting, joinery work, heating, fire grates and electrical work. This is a better, sepia toned, copy of NTGM002392.