IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Bromsgrove Street, KIDDERMINSTER, DY10 1PW

The white painted part of the building nearest the camera is the former Freemasons Arms public house which closed long ago and was boarded up for many years. At one time it was known as the Barrel. Recently it has been converted into flats to let. Additionally two further three storey buildings have been added to it, in a somewhat similar style. These are the buildings painted blue and on its right painted white. Image Photographed in December 2008:- Image

This modern building was built in 2013/14 and opened in 2014 as a project providing long term accommodation for 19 young people in the local area for up to 2 years. All residents are committed to engaging in some form of education, training or employment. The site had previously been used as a car park in recent years. It is managed by St. Basils, a registered charity, which works with young people in various projects in the West Midlands and Worcestershire. Despite its recent opening there has been concern over the project's long term future because of funding difficulties.

The white painted part of the building nearest the camera is the former Freemasons Arms public house which closed long ago and was boarded up for many years. At one time it was known as the Barrel. Recently it has been converted into flats to let. Additionally two further three storey buildings have been added to it, in a somewhat similar style. These are the buildings painted blue and on its left painted white. Image Photographed in December 2008:- Image

The adjoining buildings have long been demolished and today this historic former public house, sometimes known as The Barrel, is surrounded mainly by car parks. According to a publication by Kidderminster Civic Society, the pub is closely associated with the 19th century labour movement in Kidderminster. Here a committee of the Carpet Weavers Union met to co-ordinate the great strike by carpet weaver in 1828 which lasted 5 months. The pub was also used by the Chartists in their efforts for greater democracy, but today the pub has been empty for several years. Update March 2017:- The building has recently been converted into apartments. Image

Boarded up for several years and covered with fly posters, this historic former public house was in use as a pub by the 1820's, and possibly may even have been in use in the late 18th century. It was often also known as The Barrel. A centre of the 19th century labour movement, it would make a good museum but with so many pubs closing in Kidderminster, it is unlikely to ever re-open as a pub. Image Update March 2017:- Now converted into apartments. Image

This hotel is on the corner of Bromsgrove Street and Lion Street. The hotel should not be confused with the much larger and historic Lion Hotel in High Street, which unfortunately was demolished in the 1960's.

On the ground floor of the building is Gainsborough Studio Bakery who specialise in making cakes for weddings and other special occasions. Upstairs is a hairdresser. Next door on the right, fronting Bromsgrove Street, is Glade Pharmacy. The buildings to the left of the bakery appear to be undergoing renovation. Update June 2010: Some while ago Glades Pharmacy became a Boots Pharmacy.

This shop is run by The Oldington & Foley Park Community Network, a registered charity. The shop offers refurbished household items which benefits both people who could not afford to buy them new, plus the environment, as less items are being thrown away. Update January 2015 - these premises were subsequently used by a firm of printers, who have now relocated. See:- Image

Viewed from Ridgeway. There is no physical connection between the roads here