Sunday 27 February 2011

FUN IN THE OVERGATE - 1973

It's that Overgate sculpture again!
You may recall I put a couple of pictures up on Retro last month of the same piece of work, but because those photos were taken in the mid 80's, the structure was a bit drab looking and the surrounding shops nearing the end of their lives.
Well in comparison, here's what it was like when it was still kinda fresh - the artwork being put to good use by wee Leigh and co back in 1973.
The b & w shot below them was also taken in the mid 70's and shows the whole structure..
Although it's the work of Dundee artist, Iain Eadie, there's a hint of Ben Nicholson about the design!
According to my 1974 Dundee Directory, the name of the shop in the background was Brentford Nylons - but as you can see, it's actually just Brentfords. The company was technically called Brentford Nylons, so not sure why Dundee ended up with a shortened shop name.
Their slogan at the time was "Quality With A Conscience" - which makes it sound like you'd end up feeling guilty if you bought one of their expensive blouses!
Photos from Leigh, via Marky.

9 comments:

  1. ah but we DID have a brentford Nylons shoppie.. I mind o it as a wee lassie as id play in it :) Its now a phone shop or something, used to be almost next to the auld woolies ( tescos express ) There was a wee alleyway in between, where that jd sports ( wi the escalator) is now. and in the alley was a haberdasher shop, that was tiny and aye mobbed.yer mother woould go get ribbons for yer hair or a scrap o material to make a dress. and id fill my time amusing myself looking at bright turquoise Bri Nylon sheets ! and net curtains kinda malarky !
    Lesley G.

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  2. Sleeping between two Brentford Nylons Bri-Nylon sheets was more akin to sleeping between two thunderstorms - pure static every time you moved.
    The Dundee shop was as nothing compared to their HQ in Brentford, which in their very early days probably received more visitors than Mecca.

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  3. Re Mecca. Is that the religious place in the Middle East, the Bingo, or Brown Street at Friday dinnertime?

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  4. Despite that 'play area' being fairly grime-free compared to its latter days, I'm still not convinced would pass today's stringent Health & Safety guidelines. Those wee knees could be in for a nasty scrape if they're not careful. Ah, 70s kids -- made of sterner stuff.

    And I love the scowl on the face of the passing boy-with-pram...he looks like someone who could do with getting away from the tedium of shopping for 5 minutes on a concrete monstrosity...

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  5. The Bingo - obviously!

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  6. I am sure the firm Pippa dee was part o the brentfords chain too. all bri nylon underwear and such like.The mothers back then would go to house parties,the way folks have anne summers now.. come to think o it, anne summers is probably another reincarnation..bri-nylon knickers and such like.. I see a pattern emerging here,, and its making me itch !

    lesley g.

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  7. Brushed nylon sheets and rough toenails.....aaaarrrrggggg

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  8. Today's Overgate markets itself as a retail destination where fashion-conscious young people can browse through designer outlets between skinny lattes. Overgate Shopping Centre Mark 1 had Brentford Nylons, Norval Fabrics, the RAF and Royal Navy careers offices, and the gas board showroom! Sexy or what?

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  9. the very R.A.F place i first signed up in !! My ambition was to join the Nursing Service o the RAF .. Ya had to be 17 and 3/4 to officially sign up.. So i took a pretty decent job in Valentines. then got rejected :) back in the day any connection with the Communist perty made ya persona non grata with the forces.! ( chuckle) dammit.

    lesley g.

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