Number 16 St Alfege Passage is now rather well known for being the B&B run by local actor, Robert Gray. But before it was turned into a guesthouse, it was F. Taylor’s corner shop and as this picture – provided by Robert – shows, it sold groceries, cakes, bread and Wall’s Ice cream.
Robert also gave me a copy of this sketch below which shows the preliminary workings of a painting of Number 16 by the artist, John Christopherson. Robert would very much like to track down the finished painting that came from this sketch.
Does anyone have any other photos of Number 16 .Some relations of Franny Taylor herself saw the building on a TV show and did make contact.Also several people in Austrialia clocked it. One even brought (by hand from Aus!!) a photo of the building that stood on the site of the Earl Grey pub opposite Number 16.Some will remember the inside of Franny`s shop “the monkey on a wire”Do get in touch if any of you have any other info Robert nmmanage@hotmail.com
I remember the shop very well. When I was a kid my mum used to take me in there to get my supply of Blackjacks and Fruit Salad from the sweet counter just inside the door. I used to have to stand on a chair to see the sweets properly! As Robert mentions, the “monkey on a wire” was a distinctive feature. I used to love watching it cycle back and forth across the ceiling. Happy days!