shopfronts – I like

Posted on May 15, 2025 by admin

Millport 2025

Almost a year since the last trip, I went back to Millport – one of my favourite day trips by public transport from Glasgow. The sun and the day-trippers were out, and everything was looking good.

Condiments on the formica-covered table at the Ritz Cafe in Millport, Isle of Cumbrae

The Ritz Cafe was open and I got to enjoy a toastie in its magnificent Formica surroundings.

One of the booths in the Ritz Cafe, Isle of Cumbrae

It is currently for sale – hope it finds a sympathetic owner.

Crazy golf course, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae

The crazy golf course has had a makeover.

Spring-themed yarnbombing in Millport, Isle of Cumbrae

And the yarnbombing was spring-themed this time. It was another grand day out!

How to get there

The ferry (operated by Calmac) runs from Largs to Cumbrae regularly throughout the day. The crossing takes around 10 minutes. Millport is very bike-friendly so a lot of people cycle round the island – it’s easy to hire a bike there. If that’s not for you, a bus runs to Millport from the ferry slip. Trains between Glasgow and Largs run every hour or so. The journey takes around an hour.

Posted on May 14, 2025May 15, 2025 by admin

Millport 2024

The Largs-Cumbrae ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.

Millport is the main (and only) town on Great Cumbrae, a small island off the west coast of Scotland. It’s one of the easiest Scottish islands to get to from Glasgow, and is great for a day trip. The ferry from Largs takes about 10 minutes and runs frequently, Millport is a short bus or bike ride from the slipway.

Knitted figures of King Charles and Queen Camilla on a postbox in Millport, Cumbrae

This trip was around the time of the Coronation and the decorations were out.

Crocodile Rock, a rock painted to look like a crocodile in Millport

Crocodile Rock had been freshly painted.

Millport's brightly coloured crazy golf course

It is also home to a fine crazy golf course. Everything was technicolour bright.

The very bright newsagent and stationer in Millport, Isle of Cumbrae

I was going over to visit the magnificent Ritz Cafe which was closed, but there were plenty of other sights to enjoy. The Cathedral of the Isles is the UK’s smallest working cathedral, and there’s lots of local history in Garrison House.

A grand day out!

Posted on July 29, 2022October 5, 2022 by admin

The lonely petrol pumps of Islay

I’ve been on the Isle of Islay for a few days. This Brutalist shelter was the first thing I saw after getting off the ferry at Port Askaig.

I thought it was a bus stop, but it’s a lone petrol pump. The shape of the island is cut out of one side.

Port Charlotte Garage, Isle of Islay, Scotland

After that, I couldn’t help noticing other tiny garages. This one was in Port Charlotte.

Bowmore Filling Station, Isle of Islay, Scotland

Bowmore Filling Station, in the middle of one of the main town’s streets seemed like a megastore in comparison.

All operated by Gleaner, a family-owned Scottish fuel supplier.

Posted on May 22, 2022March 22, 2023 by admin

A Parade of Shops: Window shopping

Mannequins in Ernest Whiteley's shop window, Bridlington

Some more photos from new photobook, A Parade of Shops. This time, a selection of shop windows. Above is Ernest Whiteley & Co in Bridlington, a truly stunning ladies outfitter, comfortable in its time warp. More photos at Modern Mooch.

This is the window of J.M. Barnardo in Dublin, who claim to be the world’s oldest furrier. Opened in 1812, the founder’s son Dr Thomas John went on to found Barnardo’s charity.

I find this arrangement, from a ladies’ clothes shop in Biggar, very soothing to look at.

Finally, one of the few remaining joke shops, Tam Shepherd’s. Serving Glasgow’s guisers, partygoers and budding magicians since 1886. Still family run, its windows are always a treat to look at.

A Parade of Shops is available for £10 including UK P+P. See more of what’s inside.

Posted on May 10, 2022March 22, 2023 by admin

A Parade of Shops: The Unexpected

Chung's Chinese Take Away, Govan, Glasgow

This is my favourite sign, from Govan in Glasgow. Telling it like it is.

One from Liverpool. We could all do with a Liver Launderette at some point.

Another Glasgow favourite.

A Glasgow welcome.

A Parade of Shops is now available for £8 including UK P+P.

Posted on May 8, 2022October 5, 2022 by admin

A Parade of Shops: The Specialists

George Mackay, Bowling Green Bowl Maker, Edinburgh — A beauty from Edinburgh.

The first run of Little Shops is now sold out – thanks for your orders. A Parade of Shops can now be ordered for delivery next week.

An unexpected find in Mevagissey.

Victoria Watchmakers, an old shop from Victoria Road in Glasgow

One from Victoria Road in Glasgow.

I love everything about this, from modesty of the lower case names, to the wooden frontage and the lettering that looks like it’s made from giant Letraset (from Warwick)

A niche offering from Dingwall.

Posted on May 3, 2022May 3, 2022 by admin

A Parade of Shops: The Maximalists

The Aquarium, Glasgow — Pet shop / Eye test, Glasgow

Following on from The Minimalists, here are the Maximalists, where more is definitely…more. These all feature in new book A Parade of Shops – a celebration of little shops and shopfronts.

Ice Cream, Ice Cream, Great Yarmouth — So good they named it twice, Southport

You’ve got to admire the dedication of the shopkeeper who hauls this in and out every day.

Fancy Fair 59 — What’s it called? Er, not sure, Great Yarmouth

Classic British combination of summer paraphernalia with easy to grab umbrellas.

A Parade of Shops will be out next week. Early copies with the title Little Shops are currently on sale for £6.

Posted on May 2, 2022March 8, 2023 by admin

A Parade of Shops: The Minimalists

After yesterday’s big announcement, I had a brainwave and decided to change the title from Little Shops to A Parade of Shops. That seems more fitting. Unfortunately I had the brainwave after ordering some copies, so the first batch (called Little Shops) is reduced to £6 until the reprints arrive. If you don’t mind a different title, it’s the same book inside.

Anyway, to business. As well as historic and photogenic shopfronts, I wanted to include some where there is barely any shopfront at all. This one from Stromness in Orkney looks like it was designed to withstand the elements.

The Hole in the Wall in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent was the last remaining oatcake shop of its kind. Staffordshire oatcakes, (very different to Scottish oatcakes) were sold out of the window of a terraced house. The whole area was being redeveloped and we got there just before it closed for good. The oatcakes were delicious, and happily, they’re back under new management.

John Bell Electronics and Vape Shop, Oban — John Bell, Oban

Honourable mention for selling both gadgets and gizmos.

Posted on April 27, 2022July 3, 2022 by admin

Coming soon: Little Shops

After much swithering, I’ve finished photobook 3: Little Shops. As the title suggests, it’s a book full of little shops, shopfronts and shop windows – from the historic to the hysterical.

Here’s a sneak peak of what’s inside – Part 1: The classics