Busy Bros.

Whether it was a lampshade frame you needed or a bit of spot welding, it looks like the Heinson Brothers were the people to call. They've left their mark with some great ghost signs on this building in the Fitzrovia area of London .

Down memory lane

I walked down Portobello Road recently and it was fun. I used to hang out there years ago as a teenager, thinking I was very cool under the Westway and at Rough Trade Records. I was pleased to see this old sign still there among the antique and vintage clothes stalls. The market is going from strength to strength and the bits by the Westway manage to look great while still holding on to a bit of quirky.

On the tiles

Beautiful tiled office sign at Manchester's Victoria Station. The station dates from 1839 and was recently refurbished. Its fantastic ticket hall and tiled map are worth the visit alone.

By George

This sign advertises the Gallery Restaurant at the George Inn, Southwark. The George is owned by the National Trust and is London’s last remaining galleried inn. It’s 17th century, creaky, sloping and atmospheric. You can nip to the loo on the upper gallery and get a great view of the Shard at the same time. The food is wonderful and the staff even better. The pub’s panelled walls played host to Dickens, of course - I’d be disappointed if he’d missed out the George as he seems to have had a drink in pretty well every other pub in London, apparently. Worth a visit. 

The ghost of FJ Harrop

The ghostly form of FJ Harrop Ltd still haunts Dale Street in Manchester. Its smart 68 sign stands out on this mid-19th century warehouse, thought to be one of the earliest in the street. FJ Harrop was probably a small manufacturing business. The building, in keeping with Manchester's textile history, has more recently been used by a yarn supplier.

Warm wishes

A cosy sign at our local hardware store to warm you in this wintry weather. 

Slip into French & Sons

There is something comforting about French's shoe shop. This wonderful sign is the hallmark of quality in the smart little parade of shops in Bedford Place, Southampton. Rather like St Paul's in London, as long as French & Sons is still standing, everything will be alright.

French & Sons have been making shoes since 1794 and the current store is run by an 8^th generation French. They moved into their fine Bedford Place premises in 1890 and this shop is still the first port of call for solid school shoes and slippers for maiden aunts.

I remember being dragged here for sensible school shoes when I’d much rather have been shopping at Dolcis (RIP). The shoes I came out with were inevitably plain, brown and dull. Nowadays, however, I confess to thinking “Ooh, they look comfy” when I walk past their window – surely a sign of age.

Check them out www.wjfrenchandson.co.uk.