Edinburgh History - Central Edinburgh in the 1950s

Recollections

John Gray

Portobello, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Gray who wrote:

Tailors' Shops

"I worked in 'Jackson the Tailors' shop in Leith Street. They actually had three shops at the top of Leith Street within 500 yards of each other. I vividly remember my first wage was £7 7s 0d

There were a multitude of tailors at the top of Leith Street, including, among others

- Burtons

- Claude Alexanders

- Alexandre

- John Collier"

Snooker Halls

"Willie Mclaughlin's snooker hall was directly above the Jackson shop, so I spent every dinner getting in a game.

Fairley's snooker hall was directly across from the shop, but I was way to young to go to that place!!

The top storey dance hall, across the road, had a snooker hall but that was a bit down-market compared to Mclaughlin's.

When the Mclaughlin's snooker hall was demolished, Willie went out to the snooker hall at Manse Road, Corstorphine, which is still in use today."

Deep Sea Restaurant

"I remember also the Deep Sea Restaurant which at that time had a reputation of being a front for a house of ill repute. I don't know if that was a myth or not, but I didn't buy many bags of chips from there!"

Questions

"Can anybody tell me the names of pubs in that area? I'm sure I must have had my first illegal/legal drink in one of the pubs around there.

Also, was there a restaurant called the 'Bo Peep' around there, next door to an Adelphi Hotel?"

John Gray, Portobello, Edinburgh: June 16, 2007

Recollections

Eric Gold
known to many as Eric McKenzie

East London

Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote:

Deep Sea Restaurant

"You can tell John Gray that his hunch was right. The Deep Sea Restaurant was a front for ladies of the night and weirdoes (ha ha ha ha).

I remember my cousin was followed from the vicinity of the Deep Sea joint and, as luck would have it she bumped into my uncle Paddy near the Pleasance and he sorted the guy out, not with words either, then took him to the Police Station."

Public Houses

"John was also enquiring about pubs.

- Opposite the Deep Sea Restaurant, there was the Black Bull Pub, a notorious den for the ladies of the night.

- The Mayfair Pub was next door to the Salon cinema, near the Playhouse

- There was another pub in Greenside Place, but I've forgotten the name of it."

Eric Gold, East London: June 25, 2007

Recollections

Tony Henderson

Canada

Thank you to Tony Henderson who wrote the following in the EdinPhoto guest book:

The Black Bull

"As for the Black Bull Pub, it was where Calton Road met Leith Street. It was used by many Postmen of years gone by"

Tony Henderson, Canada: June 28, 2007

Recollections

Tommy Wishart

Thank you to Tommy Wishart who sent these recollections of Leith Street:

Pubs and Clubs

"I have fond memories of:

- The Top storey Club

- Fairleys

- The Imperial Hotel.

I used to frequent these places around the late '60s. My late father would have given me a thick ear if he knew

Also the pub in Greenside was the Weigh Inn. It used to be a funeral parlour If my memory serves me right"

Tony Henderson, Canada: June 28, 2007

Recollections

Eric Gold
known to many as Eric McKenzie

East London

Thank you to Eric Gold who sent these recollections of Leith Street:

The Black Bull

"The Black Bull pub was a notorious joint and when I had a drink in there the women were as hard as nails (ha ha ha ha). I remember one woman being tattooed all over her arms.

On the entrance, there was a Back Bull's head just above the door, which was solid brass or copper and was painted black. I wonder who has it now, as it is worth a few quid now."

Eric Gold, East London: June 28, 2007

Recollections

Eric Gold
known to many as Eric McKenzie

East London

Eric Gold replied to Yvonne's question about the Italian family above and replied:

Deep Sea Restaurant

"No one will forget the Deep Sea Restaurant if they came from Edinburgh. All the buildings down to make way for the St James centre.

The owners of the restaurant were probably Italians. I've been in there a few times but I did not know the owners or any of the staff.

In the 1950s and 60s, it had a reputation for weirdo’s. My dear old ma would tell me: 'Don’t go in there as there are bad men hanging around there.' Mind you, the food was good

The girls from the Black Bull pub across the road in Leith Street would come in with their clients. I liked the joint as it was a melting pot of all different people.

If the owners had played live jazz there, it would have been a great wee venue for jazz (ha ha ha ha)."

Eric Gold, East London: December 30+31, 2007

Recollections

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Bryan Gourlay added:

Deep Sea Restaurant

"I’m sure Eric Gold is correct that the owners of the Deep Sea fish and chip shop were an Italian family.

When the buildings all disappeared from Leith Street in the early 1970s to make way for the big roundabout opposite John Lewis and the Playhouse, I think the fish and chip shop business moved to the small bank of shops at the beginning of Northfield, at its junction with Piershill.

In the 1980s and 1990s, I’m as sure as I can be that the sign above the shop said ‘Deep Sea’.

The fish and chips were certainly first class. The family that served, young and old, spoke to each other in Italian – and with distinct Edinburgh accents to their customers.

I think the shop is still there."

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland: December 31, 2007

Deep Sea - 2007

I've checked on the internet and found a 'Deep Sea' takeaway restaurant at 2 Antigua Street, Leith Walk, very close to the site where the Deep Sea Restaurant was demolished to build the roundabout in the 1970s.

I don't know whether this is the same company or not. The following description of the restaurant at 2 Antigua Street may help.

"The Deep Sea, which has been around since 1920, has minimal décor and no seating, and wastes no time with frills or gimmicks. Its location amongst some of the busiest clubs and pubs in Edinburgh still ensures a healthy trade.

The dough is made fresh on the premises daily, and this remains one of the few places in town to offer its pizzas deep-fried. Indeed, owner Pasquale Bianchi is happy to batter and fry any of the chocolate bars on offer.

The mushy peas would please the fussiest of connoisseurs, and act as a perfect accompaniment to the excellent fish.

[The List web site: December 2007]

- Peter Stubbs: December 31, 2007

Recollections

Joe Curry

Thank you to Joe Curry who wrote:

Black Bull and Moir's Bar

"In the early 1960s, I believe that the ladies frequented Moir’s Bar, a base for petty gangsters on the corner of Little King Street, rather than the Black Bull.

Our taxi rank was in Little King Street, close to the Doll’s Hospital and the Deep Sea Restaurant. This was an area of contrast – cathedral, pubs, cafes, girls, rogues, etc, and young innocents like myself trying to make a living driving a taxi."

Joe Curry, West Lothian, Scotland: June 9, 2008

Recollections

Frank Ferri

Newhaven, Edinburgh

Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote:

Austin's Cafe

"I remember Austin's posh cafe in the 1940s/50s. It was just up from old Imperial Hotel in Leith Street, next to where Halfords used to be, set back off the pavement.

High teas were served in afternoon. there were big cake stands on table with fancy cakes, waitress's all dressed in black with white cuffs, little white aprons and wee white tiara hats."

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: July 30, 2008

Recollections

10.

Frank Ferri

Newhaven, Edinburgh

Frank Ferri also wrote:

Tailor Shops

"John Gray mentions tailor shops in Leith Street (1 above). There were also:

- John Colliers, The Fifty Shilling Tailors.

- Waverly Tailoring Co where you bought all the fancy shirts, ties, cufflinks and sports jackets.

- Tailorfit Ltd, not far from Imperial Hotel. I got a job there in 1959, moved on to their branch at Junction Street, Leith and ended up as Head Sales in their Nicolson Street shop.

The Walden brothers (Paul and Brian, owners of The Place and Bungeys beat clubs) also opened a smart gents boutique near the Imperial hotel.

Everybody had their suits made to measure in those days. Usually, it took between 8 to 10 weeks to get made.

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: July 30, 2008

Recollections

11.

Betty Fraser (nee Simpson)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Betty Fraser wrote:

St James Square - YWCA

"By the way, does anyone remember the 'YW' - the YWCA club which was in a hall in St James Square circa 1945-48.

It was run by Mrs Masters?"

Betty Fraser: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: November 8, 2008