Robert Allan Shoe Shop Edinburgh

[fortiter]

This shop was still in existence about 1980, although no longer in the family as Robert Allan had long since died.  I understand the business was established by Robert Allan who was born in Nigg and lived at Belleville Lodge, Blackett Avenue.  Is the shop still trading and does anyone know anything of its history?
Jonathan

[MonicaL]

Jonathan

Have you got any details on the family at all in respect of the business? I can see some things, but not sure if connected. For example, some film here http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=7698 and http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=7696  The descriptives for the film may help.

Monica

[fortiter]

Thanks for you interest and help, Monica.

I don't think that James Allan & Son Ltd, Bootmakers is what I am looking for.
 Robert Allan's business may have been J & R Allan Ltd, described as silk merchants and drapers and also as a department store, which doesn't sound quite like a shoe store.  The "R" could be Robert, but I have no idea who the "J" may have been.  Robert Allan was described as a "Drapers Assistant" in the 1861 Census when he was still living in Nigg, so that ties in.  He would have died sometime after 1909, the year he visited his brother (my grandfather) in New Zealand.
Hopefully these comments might be of help.

Jonathan

[Hibee]

Hi Johnathan

There was a shop called J&R Allan's at the corner of the Bridges and Chambers Street, in Edinburgh.

Hibee

[MonicaL]

The Post Office Directories might come in handy, www.nls.uk/family-history/directories/post-office/index.cfm?place=Edinburgh

The online issues finish at 1912, but plenty to look through. You can search either by name or address (try both ways of viewing the directories to see what suits best).

Monica

[Jessie 46]

There was also a Peter Allans on the Bridges but on Princes Street in the 1960s there was an Allans shoe shop

if I remember right it was along towards the west  a very expensive shop .


Jessie

[MonicaL]

 Robert Allan's business may have been J & R Allan Ltd, described as silk merchants and drapers and also as a department store, which doesn't sound quite like a shoe store.  The "R" could be Robert, but I have no idea who the "J" may have been. 

This is Robert and wife Jessie in 1891:

Robert Allan 48, draper b. Nigg
Jessie Allan 38 wife, b. Perth
Mathew H Speedie 28, brother in law, shipowner b. Perth
Lily Mearns 22, servant

Address: 10, Minto St, Edinburgh

The address then fits in with this 1891-2 PO Directory entry, where as you have said, there is a mention of (J. & R.A). www.archive.org/stream/postofficeedinbu189192edin#page/n61/mode/2up

Monica

[MonicaL]

From the same year/directory, looking at the section of businesses under trades/types of business here www.archive.org/stream/postofficeedinbu189192edin#page/558/mode/2up

Under 'Drapers and Silk Mercers' shows an entry for Allan, J and R at 80-84 S bridge (is this the area/street you referred to earlier, Jessie?).

Big listing here for the business in 1911-12 www.archive.org/stream/postofficeedinbu19111912edin#page/6/mode/2up

Monica

[MonicaL]

This is more what we need here www.housefraserarchive.ac.uk/company/?id=c0729 ...went on to be renamed Arnotts I think?

An intersting aside... www.flickr.com/photos/charmainezoe/5327361285/

A photo of the frontage of the shop here www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-534-515-C - late 1960s?

And, what happened to the building in its later years here http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/SCT-FIFE/2000-12/0976269215  Always sad to see the derilict buildings after a great history as here http://searchweb.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-546-173-C

Monica