Workshops and Motors

 In the previous post we finished with a memory, for some, of the hardware shop known as The Handy Stores.  Although a few shops have never altered what their owners, or subsequent occupiers, traded through more than one hundred years of Fleetville retailing, there inevitably comes a point when change finally arrives

Numbers 222 (formerly a cafe), 220 ( one half of The Handy Stores) and 218 (the original
unit of The Handy Stores) in 2012.

Domestic servicing has given way to car servicing, one half of the current premises of Prestige
Experience.

We should remember that these units were treated much like houses in that they had back plots – gardens – though they did not survive long as such. Behind number 218 was a workshop called St Albans Plating, whose owner also had the frontage shop unit. As a child the Editor used to wonder what he might buy with his pocket money if he was to walk through the shop doorway? To my recollection I do not recall seeing anyone with business to transact here, and certainly not leave with any plates!

The first premises to be built on the front part of the field, as seen on a white winter's day.  This
name is Carter's Garage at number 212 in 1934
COURTESY CAROLYN HAYWARD

Charles Mears Carter with his wife Daisy, off on honeymoon on Charles' motor bike.
Daisy was a teacher, so she may have taught at the Central School, Fleetville or 
Camp.
COURTESY MARK CARTER

The next premises was quite another matter. In the 1950s this was Hobbs Garage. But until 1934 it was just another open space, land not yet developed. Then, engineer Charles M Carter arrived in the district. He was the brother of nurseryman Thomas W Carter from the partnership of Sear & Carter further along the road. While Charles, and wife Daisy, were living in a small house across the road. Charles set up his car servicing and repair business. Charles' business may have been one of the first in Fleetville to dispense petrol from the forecourt; although Charles Tuck may have beaten
him to it.

Number 214 was acquired by Alfred Hobbs.  Carter's garage business was also purchased by him
c1946 and the site modernised in the 1950s.  He continued to dispense petrol.
COURTESY ST ALBANS MUSEUMS

In the 1950s Alfred Hobbs, from Colney Heath Lane and owner of agricultural machinery factory Tractor Shafts, acquired Charles Carter's business, rebadged the shop as Hobbs Tools and later still rebranded it HobbCo.  The frontage of the garage premises was modernised and rebuilt in red brick, with a glazed first floor.  The frontage extended over the access to the rear workshop, joining onto the tool shop building – most of us today have forgotten that arrangement.  Neon lighting for Hobbco Tool Company and Hobbs Garage was fitted to the side and front walls, bringing some colour to the street in the evenings. No doubt it was also intended to attract younger customers and their new post-war cars.

The site was cleared once more when Kwik Fit opened a service branch here.
COURESY GOOGLE STREET VIEW

In the 1980s the premises became a branch of Kwik Fit.  The Hobbs frontage, in fact the whole building, was replaced, presumably to enable shorter servicing periods to take place and therefore faster turnarounds.  So for almost a century number 212 has been home to car-owners in need of servicing, replacement tyres, motoring technical advice and inspections.  Charles Carter started that.

Meanwhile, the editor continues his quest to discover more about the St Albans Plating business, where it moved to, if anywhere, and who it served.

Kwik Fit completes the range of plots which sit in front of the Central School.  Next time we move across the school's vehicular entrance to a building no longer extant.