Explore topics

Old Falkirk Shops

Helen Young recalls old Falkirk shops – enjoy beautiful old photographs and share your memories!

Do you remember the following shops?

fields['text']) echo $section->fields['text']; ?>

Bishop’s

Sold great bargains in shoes, knitwear, hairdressing etc. The Bishop brothers were always to be seen on the shop floor, situated almost opposite the Orchard Hotel.

Young’s

Sold nearly everything for the home. You could walk through from Prince’s Street to Bank Street. I think they also had a pram and baby shop in Bank Street.

Graham & Morton

Opposite Grahamston Station. They sold furniture, carpets, curtains, and pictures.

Zuill & Stewart’s

Situated in the High Street. Had a good range of products, clothing and ornaments

Muirhead’s

Unusual shop in the Cow Wynd. Sold groceries, fruit and vegetables, and lots of loose items.

Dillon’s

Well-known for being painted blue on the exterior, a clothing store best known for selling school uniforms. Also stocked Cub, Brownie, Guide, and Scout uniforms. Situated in the High Street.

Templeton’s

Located where Callander Square stands. One of the first supermarkets in the area.

Bargain King

Situated in Cow Wynd, sold clothing.

Alexander’s

Walk through shop from Manor Street to High Street. They sold a variety of household goods.

Coop Super Store

 

Large department store. Sold shoes, clothes, beds, curtains, ornaments etc. They had a fantastic system for paying for goods; money was put into a “vacuum system”; shop assistants put the money in a container which then whisked it away to a central cashier’s department and change was returned using the same method. The store is now used by the Clydesdale Bank situated at the corner of Vicar Street/Bank Street.

 

How good is your memory? Tell us about other bygone Falkirk shops. The above are just the tip of the iceberg. Contact us at: GreatPlace@falkirkcommunitytrust.org

 

By Helen Young. Originally published in The Village Voice Magazine (2009).

Read next:

Nearby: General Falkirk district

Changing Seasons in Falkirk

Read the story
Nearby: Maddiston

Smith of Maddiston

Read the story
  • References & Bibliography
  • Helen Young. “Nostalgic Memories of Well-Loved Falkirk Shops.” The Village Voice Magazine, June 2009, p.7.
  • Thank you to Janie Niccol of The Village Voice Magazine for her help with this story.
  • Photograph. “Women queued for Bargain Sale outside Bargain King shop, Falkirk.” P03739. 1930. Photographer unknown. Falkirk Archive. From Falkirk Council, collection managed by Falkirk Community Trust.
  • Photograph. “Cow Wynd, Falkirk.” P05030. 1960s-1970s. Falkirk Town Council. Town Planning Officer. Falkirk Archive. From Falkirk Council, collection managed by Falkirk Community Trust.
  • Object Photograph. “Zuill & Stewart Hat Box.” 2012-003-002. Milne William (Falkirk) Ltd. Falkirk Museums. From Falkirk Council, collection managed by Falkirk Community Trust.
  • Object Photograph. “Alexander Stores Record Sleeve.” 2000-029-017. Alexander's Stores Ltd. Falkirk Museums. From Falkirk Council, collection managed by Falkirk Community Trust.
  • ·Object Photograph. “Bargain King Cardboard Box.” 1993-040-002. Bargain Kings, Regd. Falkirk Museums. From Falkirk Council, collection managed by Falkirk Community Trust.
  •  
· · ·