From homes to shops
As the population increased in the early 20th century, the need for more shops grew and local people saw a new way of making a living by turning their cottages into small shops. These shopkeepers often kept their businesses for many years, sometimes for generations and were seen to be important to village society.
In 1926 these two cottages became shops. No. 1680 (the left hand side of the building) was owned by Babs Blundell who sold sweets and cakes. Next door, at No. 1678 was Sid Mercer, a greengrocer and racehorse trainer.
1950s – 1980s shopping
In the mid 1900’s the two shops were owned by the Paynton’s, the greengrocers.
1970s and 1980s
In the 1970s Edna McGregor combined the two shops into one and opened the Knowle Wool and Card Shop. This shop was popular with local residents. Jasper Carrot was a regular customer and Miss McGregor’s shop was thought to be the inspiration for his book titled ‘Shop!’.
In 1981 the little wash house behind No. 1678 was restored with a grant from the Knowle Society.
In 1992 Knowle lost a well-loved shopkeeper when Miss McGregor retired from the Wool Shop. However, the new owners completed a sensitive restoration to the shop and a new office suite was added at the rear of the building, accessed by the narrow passage which has the delightful name of Thimble Lane.
The two adjacent cottages No.s 1682 and 1684 were resurfaced in brick in the early 1800’s when they also became shops, but remained individual buildings. In 1908 Kelly’s directory records Henry Galloway as ‘Taylor and Breeches Maker’ at No. 1682. No. 1684 has been the home of a draper’s, hairdresser’s and several barbers.
It was Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council who gave the passageway the name Thimble Name – perhaps in honor of Miss MacGregor who sold wool and haberdashery as well as card.
21st Century
In the 21st century, the shop at numbers 1678 and 1680 was converted to a cafe. Next door, the occupants of 1682 and 1684 have included a barber and a funeral director.
Distinguishing features
- The Thimble Lane sign post
- The restored former washhouse down Thimble Lane
- Original beams inside and outside the building
Timeline
- 1600s: Cottage homes constructed
- 1926: the homes became sweet & cake and greengrocer shops
- 1950s: Paynton’s Greengrocers & confectioners
- 1970s: Knowle wool and card shop
- 1981: The little wash house behind No.1678 was restored
- 1992: The shop was sold, restored and opened as a card shop
- 2000s: The shop converted to a cafe
Image Gallery
You will be able to see more images of Knowle in the Local History Centre located upstairs in Knowle Library.
Explore the Trail
There are twelve buildings to explore on this trail.
The small print
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented on this heritage trail, details may be subject to change or interpretation. To the best of our knowledge, all content is correct at the time of publication. We accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or changes that may have occurred since.