News / Old City
New ghost sign revealed in Old City
A remarkably intact ghost sign of a former tobacconist has been unveiled during the refurbishment of a shop in Bristol’s historic Old City.
Parry Bros. was founded in 1865 and occupied premises on High Street since at least 1909, surviving the Blitz which destroyed many of the other buildings on the road including the nearby Dutch House and being there into the 1970s.
The building was a newsagent called A & Z News in the early noughties, and was more recently J Candy beauty salon and boutique.
is needed now More than ever
Parry Bros’ shopfront in 1909 – photo: Bristol Archives
A shop will continue to be on the ground floor of 45 High Street with student accommodation on the storeys above.
The ghost sign for Parry Bros – also featuring the number ’45’ on either side of the business’ name – should be more visible over the coming days as the scaffolding on the front of the building is removed.
Although the sign is listed which means that it cannot be removed, most similar signs are obscured by having a newer sign placed on top of them.
But some do remain visible, with the new Pizzarova restaurant on North Street for example having the recently revealed ghost sign of Bollom above its front door.
The scaffolding on 45 High Street is due to be removed soon to reveal the ghost sign – photo: Martin Booth
To explore more hidden corners of the Old City and Castle Park, join a walking tour with Bristol24/7 Editor, Martin Booth: www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
Main photo: Martin Booth
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