What is now a busy crossing at the top of Hepworth Way, was a continuation of Walton High Street before the 1960s. Anyone approaching from Church Street in the early 20th Century would have been faced by a row of buildings which no longer exists.
One of these shops was Annett’s, a ‘High Class China and Glass shop’ which was established in 1866 and first run by William Annett – known locally as ‘Whiffle’. The family also owned an additional building company at ‘Annett’s Yard’, in Annett Road, Walton.
From the turn of the 20th Century, Francis Elizabeth Annett, one of William’s brood of ten children, took over the china shop. She proudly put her name over the door, and ran it through the two world wars, right up until her death in 1955. Two large display windows in the shop looked onto the pavement, and in the main showroom a vast array of items for sale were hung from the very low ceiling. The back of the shop, including the upper floor, was given over to the family’s own quarters. In 1960, the building was demolished to clear space for Hepworth Way, which was developed into the road which can be seen today when the new shopping and office precinct was created in 1965.
Visit The 1955 Club cafe at 56 The Heart, Hepworth Way, to see the heritage trail panel.