LauraAger 1 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Hello, I'm wondering if anyone here remembers the tailors' shop on Pelham Street called Will Hill? The business used to be at Trinity Square before moving to Pelham Street, the company name went back to at least the 1920s. My Great Uncle Graham Rogers was the last remaining cutter/fitter and the last person to use the company name (I think). When the shop closed he continued to see clients who wanted new suits making at the workroom of Lee and Lewindon in Excise Chambers, which is now also closed. If anyone has memories of Graham, or of the shop, I would love to hear them! Laura 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,235 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 1960 i was a Van-Lad for British rail on leaving school........and remember delivering to Will-Hill in Trinity square...mostly got a cup of Tea from a middle aged bloke who was very nice....short chap with glasses.......... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,498 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 There are several photos of the Will Hill shop in Trinity Square buildings in this NEP feature. Look at photos number 25, 26, 27, and 34. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/gallery/trinity-square-40-pictures-showing-3642034 I don't remember the shop on Pelham Street although I must've passed it many times. And in Laura's photo you can see the entrance to the Pelham Club on the right. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,235 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Trinity square was the place in Nottingham i knew best.......as a school kid in the 50s lived on Bestwood estate (old) and the 28 bus terminus was Leybourne drive Bestwood estate............which Terminated in Trinity square...along with the number 6 also Bestwood estate.....and the 17 from Bulwell....plus the 18 from Edwards lane estate......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,235 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Thinking about it that area around Trinity square holds so many memories from the 50s and 60s...........apart from Will-Hill there was.... Pet shop on Exchange or Trinity walk where we could see Puppy Dogs and Kittens......... Empire cafe......where Grandma used to take me........ The Empire theatre.....remember Dad taking me there........to see Norman Evans...over the Garden Wall fame.......... Original playhouse......saw Gene Vincent....Marty Wilde........and the Vernon girls there...about 1961.... Newspaper offices Forman st........had a nearly father in law work there the same time as Tommy Lawton.... Peach Tree pub...corner of Forman st....Spoke to David Whitfield in there....... Also saw Mike Winters standing near the bus stops......looked as if waiting for a lady........ And not forgetting the tiny ''Little London'' store near Will-Hills..where you could buy ''Something for the weekend'' ..for only 3/6....Happy days indeed......... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,212 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 I remember Will Hill in Trinity Square but not on Pelham St. The only tailor I recollect and used to patronise was James Bell who I think are still on Pelham St. I buy all my clothes on line these days without the hassle of driving into town and paying a fortune to park my car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LauraAger 1 Posted July 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 40 minutes ago, Cliff Ton said: There are several photos of the Will Hill shop in Trinity Square buildings in this NEP feature. Look at photos number 25, 26, 27, and 34. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/gallery/trinity-square-40-pictures-showing-3642034 I don't remember the shop on Pelham Street although I must've passed it many times. And in Laura's photo you can see the entrance to the Pelham Club on the right. There are some great photos in here, thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,212 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Wasn’t there a ‘Little London’ on Alfreton Rd. as well? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,235 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Not sure about that Phil............remember the one in Trinity sq....mainly because of the man who ran it.......Big imposing chap in white overalls....always felt nervous when parting with my 3/6 because of him.......lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,521 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Was William Hill a Nottingham individual? It’s just that an old man who lived opposite us (and has since passed away) told me that he lived next door to him many moons ago. Of course it may not have been that one as I know there were several small tailors in town back then. I could have a totally different person! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LauraAger 1 Posted July 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 17 minutes ago, LizzieM said: Was William Hill a Nottingham individual? It’s just that an old man who lived opposite us (and has since passed away) told me that he lived next door to him many moons ago. Of course it may not have been that one as I know there were several small tailors in town back then. I could have a totally different person! Hi Lizzie, I think the original founder of the buisness was William Hill. The limited company known as WILL HILL (TAILORS) LIMITED took over an existing business at the Trinity Square address in 1947. There had been a tailors and outfitters based at this address with this name since at least 1922. The company at this time was at 2 Forman Street, Nottingham. There were three directors – Leslie, Douglas and Raymond Hill. Probably sons...?? My Great Uncle became an apprentice cutter with the firm in 1953 and kept the business name on after the Hills had all retired. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,212 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 2 hours ago, benjamin1945 said: Not sure about that Phil............remember the one in Trinity sq....mainly because of the man who ran it.......Big imposing chap in white overalls....always felt nervous when parting with my 3/6 because of him.......lol Did he used to say ‘Oh no! Not you again!’ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,695 Posted July 27, 2022 Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 9 hours ago, LauraAger said: clients who wanted new suits making at the workroom of Lee and Lewindon in Excise Chambers, which is now also closed. Gordon Lewindon was a school pal of mine at Gedling . I did go in his workshop in the mid 80s on a visit back to Nottm but lost touch after we moved away . Also had a tenuous connection to Will Hills as I went out with his granddaughter for a very short time . I can't remember which of the Hill sons was her father but they had a very large Victorian house in Burton Joyce. Ages ago on this site I posted a photo of a beach trip to Scarborough in the 60s by students from Digby College both she and Gordon are on that photo. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David sheridan 159 Posted July 30, 2022 Report Share Posted July 30, 2022 On 7/27/2022 at 8:32 PM, benjamin1945 said: Not sure about that Phil............remember the one in Trinity sq....mainly because of the man who ran it.......Big imposing chap in white overalls....always felt nervous when parting with my 3/6 because of him.......lol With all the fright hope you got your moneys worth , brinngs an old new meaning to did you give her one ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,695 Posted August 6, 2022 Report Share Posted August 6, 2022 An article today on tailor Graham Rogers, mentioned above. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/tributes-paid-one-nottinghams-last-7405527?fbclid=IwAR0IHT1zXpK3pNodMw40HLbXsu04RNcYvx99-NKMTYbNyg1g5E6TbBkGf0k 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,498 Posted August 6, 2022 Report Share Posted August 6, 2022 Not every day we see a photo of someone who has recently posted on Nottstalgia ! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ryedale 0 Posted April 27 Report Share Posted April 27 My grandfather Will Hill had a tailoring business in which, after the war, three of my uncles also worked. i would like to contact any of my cousins if possibly. Paul Hardaker North Yorkshire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,521 Posted April 27 Report Share Posted April 27 Welcome Rydale. I have a feeling that Will Hill lived in a house near where I live in Mapperley Park. I will check with the present owners and get back to you if they know the history of the house. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,212 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 Ah, Will Hill, Harry Silverman, Gibson Mather. Memories of the days of smart dressing. Do men still wear suits? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,498 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 I assume this is the business in question. The Will Hill shop was on the corner of Trinity Square and Forman Street (to the left); and demolished in the 60s. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,212 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 When the replacement arcade of shops was built Will Hill tailors occupied one of them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,235 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 i went for a job at will-Hills in 1960 on leaving school..didnt get it...told me to get my haircut and come back..next time i went i was delivering a Parcel in a van like this from Midland station......until the pull of Marsdens got too much........never did buy a suit from Will-Hills...couldnt afford it......think my first suit was £20 from Burtons Friar lane corner...on the knock.........eventually graduated to ''Willerbys''.....great grey pin-stripe...£40.........knocked em ''Bandy'' down the ''Palais''........... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oztalgian 3,345 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 When I first read this thread, I wondered why everyone was talking about William Hill the bookies DOH! 18 minutes ago, benjamin1945 said: never did buy a suit from Will-Hills...couldnt afford it......think my first suit was £20 from Burtons Friar lane corner...on the knock.........eventually graduated to ''Willerbys''.....great grey pin-stripe...£40 Did you ever get one from John Colliers? "The window to watch" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,235 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 IM sure i did OZ...........I was always buying suits.....even in my last years of work always wore a suit and mostly a Crombie too....... Took a team of security lads to many boxing events all over the country.......met and enjoyed many of the famous ''Promoters''......Plus ex boxers and TV commentators.......always booted and suited.......Loved it......almost as much as 'Dressing a window''...or 'Boning a side of Bacon''............... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,235 Posted April 28 Report Share Posted April 28 2 hours ago, philmayfield said: Ah, Will Hill, Harry Silverman, Gibson Mather. Memories of the days of smart dressing. Do men still wear suits? Not many Phil.........i only wear a suit at Funerals now..........its usually ''Suit Jacket and Jeans''...........which i find comfortable and smartish.......especially with a nice shirt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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