Tyre Shop next to Moxons - has it closed?

[Ko]

Sorry in advance if this has been discussed elsewhere, but I can't find anything on it.

The tyre shop, next to Moxons and Cafe Noodle, has it closed? It looks like it has been gutted. It was up and running about 2 weeks ago, but now looks deserted. Anyone know anything?

[Muttley]

Yes, they've cleared out. Mentioned in a recent thread...there was some rumour of new landlord, hiked rents, and Mrs Robinson opening something clothesy there. Somebody should take a photo of the tyre shop signage for the sake of posterity. It's one of the last "01" phone numbers still on display in East Dulwich.

[Ko]

Thanks Muttley! I think I missed it as it got lounged but I've found it now.

I think the tyre shop was part of the row of shops Parkhill bought up a year or so back. Sad to see the tyre place go as the guy has obviously been there a long time.

[cathg]

Hi Muttley - I walked past the tyre shop at the weekend and it wasn't the 01 number that gave me a twinge of nostalgia, it was the fading Access sign sticking out at the side like an antique For Sale board. I'd completely forgotten about Access cards, which I think were one of the very first credit cards available in the UK. I wonder how many of those are still around in London.

[Muttley]

Yes, nice bit of antique memorabilia. There should be an East Dulwich museum. "Your flexible friend".

[mikese22]

I went past today and noticed that they've taken down the signage with 01 on it to reveal even older signage with the telephone exchange expressed as letters - TOW xxxx - presumably dating back to the 60s?

Anyone know if TOW stood for anything or was it just random - there are still hotels in Bloomsbury that display signs with MUS (for MUSeum)at the start or their phone numbers?

[macroban]

Townley.

[mlteenie]

As I understand it, the letters were what you dialled (they still have the system in the US). Looking at my phone, this would give you a code of 869. 274 (BRI)xton..... I guess, or am I wrong? Macro?

[BJL]

You're right. The first part of the number was geographical (BRIxton, WHItehall, PADdington etc). When the system changed, they changed the letters into the corresponding numbers. When I first came to the UK, telephone books had a section in the front listing all the codes/areas so that you could see roughly where a caller lived.

In the US, I think they only use the letters for commercial reasons and for a price you can choose your own number - "call 1-800-BUY-BEER" etc.

[macroban]

I've had the same landline for over 50 years.

It has gone:

GYP N-N-N-N (Gypsy Hill)

TOW N-(N)-(N-10)-N (Townley: when the new exchange opened they subtracted 10 from the phone number)

693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

01-693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

020-693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

0208-693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

Interesting stuff for a Sunday morning.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I think the Peckham one is the most endearing - Rodney - after which a certain character in Only Fools & Horses is named.

[????]

Anyone got any newly painted walls for me to look at?

[dc]

macroban Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I've had the same landline for over 50 years.

>

> It has gone:

>

> GYP N-N-N-N (Gypsy Hill)

> TOW N-(N)-(N-10)-N (Townley: when the new exchange

> opened they subtracted 10 from the phone number)

> 693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

> 01-693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

> 020-693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

> 0208-693 N-(N)-(N-10)-N

>

> Interesting stuff for a Sunday morning.

I think it would have gone: GIP (Gipsy Hill); TOW; 693; 01 693; 081 693; 0181 693; 020 8693

A fascinatng (!) listing here under "Telephone Exchange Project UK" http://www.rhaworth.myby.co.uk/phreak/tenp_01.htm

[karter]

does everyone need correcting? Ko the properties were not bought by phill properties and the latest news was that it was going to be a farmers shop or maybe now i am wrong?

[bob]

Yes Alan who had the tyre shop had to go he was due a rent review when he made enquires about his new rent he nearly had a hart attack a real shame he was a nice guy and would always help you out. Some one said the lease was brought by Franklins to stop a rival moving in may be organic veg shop??????

Bob S