The 1974 Series: Any suggestions about other categories to write about, viz. hatters, book-sellers, restaurants or whatever are welcome.
The first topic is going to be car dealerships and distributors in central Belfast mainly because, as a little boy, I simply adored motor-cars and car show-rooms. Which ones did I frequent?
Mostly Thompson-Reid's and Charles Hurst. Thompson-Reid's show-room at Breda shopping centre (Supermac) was a place I often visited, and the sales men invariably indulged me.
Thompson-Reid had their head office and show-room at 14-16 Donegall Square East, and the show-room went right back to Upper Arthur Street, where there was a little petrol station.
They sold Austin cars.
Thompson-Reid also had premises at the aforementioned Supermac shopping centre.
Charles Hurst was the other big dealership in Belfast which sold British marques, their show-rooms being at 44-54 Chichester Street and 17-27 Montgomery Street.
W H Alexander sold
Morris and
Wolseley cars at the aptly named Morris House, 90-108 Victoria Street.
Stanley Harvey, at 4 Clarence Street West had, I believe, the concession for Rolls-Royce.
The main Ford dealers were J E Coulter, at 78-82 Antrim road and 38-42 Chichester Street; and R E Hamilton, at 32 Linen Hall Street.
Isaac Agnew was considerably smaller, in commercial terms, though it survives today.
They were main Volkswagon dealers at North Howard Street, Lisburn Road and Falls Road.
A S Baird sold Chrysler, Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam and Simca.
Baird's offices were at was Humber House, 26-30 Ormeau Avenue, and 62-66 Bedford Street.
Clarence Engineering Limited, of 24 Ormeau Avenue and Bankmore Street, sold Triumph and Standard cars.
W H Connolly was located at 118-124 Donegall Pass and, I think, sold Citroen cars.
Dick and company, Donegall Street, sold Fiat cars.
Geddis Cars, 28 Linen Hall Street - Datsun (now Nissan).
David Marshall Limited was the main Vauxhall dealer at 17 Bedford Street.
Have I omitted any?
First published in May, 2010.
