Hearnshaws Shop

For a number of years Hearnshaws Shop on Lord Street stood quiet and closed. Following Hearnshaws Electrical restoration, it now has a new life as Hearnshaws Antiques and Vintage.

This unique shop on Lord Street is opposite the junction of Poulton Road. When it closed it was an electrical shop. Before that it was Besfords tobacconists – and a fond memory for many local people. The above photo is courtesy of Fleetwoods Past Facebook Group.

We went for a walk in Fleetwood to take a look at Lord Street and this lovely little shop –

Enjoyed this video? Why don’t you subscribe to the Visit Fylde Coast YouTube channel, for loads more great content!

Hearnshaws Electrical Restoration

When the electrical store closed in 2012, the ornate shop front was in a sorry state. It had turned into what’s known as a ‘ghost sign’, where remnants of paint remained, applied straight onto the brick wall.

Above the old name sign you could see the just make out ‘Ye Olde Toffee & Bacca’, along with the outline of the person whose identity seems to be long forgotten.

A Stalled Attempt at Restoration…

The Fleetwood’s Past Facebook Group enjoys unearthing all kinds of local folklore and things from the past. The people who chat on the forum came together and started the ball rolling to restore the painted facade to its former glory.

A spokesman for the group told us that it was a project he’d wanted to tackle for years, adding, “we’ve already been in touch with the owners, the Hearnshaw family, and have their blessing and support. We’ve been promised scaffolding and a local artist can do the work. We’ve also been promised paint within reason.”

Smells of the past

Members of the group enjoyed long Facebook threads, discussing their memories of the shop and what they used to buy there. “The smell was so intoxicating, sweet and heady” said Maureen, and Sue said “Loved going in there with my grandad the smells were great from all the different tobaccos”.

Unfortunately the goodwill and enthusiasm of this merry band of volunteers was to come to nothing. That old chestnut ‘health and safety’ got in the way and the project couldn’t go ahead.

Bringing the Building Back to Life

But eventually this example of social history and local heritage was saved. The sign was reinstated in 2016 and a few years later it reopened as Hernshaw’s Antiques and Vintage.

Fleetwood is a fascinating place with rich history in a small area. If you have any other information to add to this piece please just email to to jane@theRabbitPatch.co.uk

The History of Hearnshaws Shop

Thanks to Nick Moore’s History of the Fylde Coast, we now know that the shop originally opened way back in 1898.

Lord Street was still called West Street when two sisters, Mrs Clancy and Mrs Gill, opened and ran it. They later sold to Theodore Clegg who renamed it the Olde Bacca Shoppe. In the 1920’s it was Besfords tobacconists – selling pipes, tobacco and sweets.

Did you know? That it had briefly been Ye Olde Cabinet Maker?

Meanwhile, Hernshaw’s Furniture Shop was trading in the store to the right hand side. When the tobacconists closed they bought the shop and opened it as an electrical store, selling washing machines and such like.

The painted frontage was finally restored in June 2016.

Since 15 March 2019 it’s operated as Hernshaw’s Antiques and Vintage Ltd.

• Interested in the olden days? There’s much more about the history of Fleetwood here.

While you’re here…

Have a look at the homepage of the Visit Fleetwood website for more of the latest updates.

Love the Fylde Coast? Sign up for your weekly email newsletter. Packed full of interesting things it arrives in your inbox all 52 weeks of the year.

Join us on Facebook at our Visit Fylde Coast Facebook Group

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @visitFyldeCoast