Hitting the nail on the head

The Last Drop Inn, a pub with a multi-layered pun for a name, has featured on this blog before. The clock with the hammer and nail belongs to Barnitt's, the home and garden emporium which occupies a large part of this side of the street. The labyrinthine premises are always worth a visit; if Barnitt's doesn't stock it, you don't need it. 

Chim chiminee …

Rooftops and chimneys, many of the latter sealed off, of Shambles, Little Shambles, King's Square and perhaps Colliergate seen from the third floor (gents clothing) of Marks and Spencer. The outdoor market is directly below, out of this view, and the Minster is to the left. No sign of Mary Poppins.

Shortest street, longest name

That's Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate, so short that there is a number 11/2, occupied by letting agents. This is another view from the Stonebow upper storey car park, looking down over Colliergate, with the entrance to Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate between the newsagent's and the St Crux parish hall. The latter is now used as a venue for bric-a-bric sales and light lunches in aid of various charities. The street behind the hall is Shambles.

Barnitts, York

The York home and garden shop, which began trading from here as an irongmongers in 1896, occupies a large part of Colliergate. If they don't stock it, you probably don't need it. Old-fashioned personal, friendly service, especially useful when you can't find your way out of this a-maze-ing store! 

This picture shows just a tiny part of the Colliergate frontage, and there's another entrance round the corner, and they are expanding into vacated premises next door, expecting to bring the workforce up to around 90. Bravo to the directors for staying in the city centre rather than moving out of town!