In July 2025, we came across this photograph of The Little Shop on the Old Nottingham Pictures group.
1983 The Little Shop, 876 Woodborough Road, Mapperley. Anybody remember this?
Sally Williams certainly did. She was able to recall the various names that the shop had from the 1950s. These were Pinegars, Twigdens then Smedleys.
The photograph from 1983, shows the name ‘Smedleys’ above the entrance door.
There were many more comments about the shop which stands out by its distinctive appearance and the fact that is is next to the bus stop and opposite the top of the busy junction with Woodthorpe Drive
Memories Of The Little Shop
Here’s a sample of the memories. taken from comments on the Nottingham Pictures Group.
Andrew Swanwick:
Mr Twigdon. Delivered papers for him. Then used to put the rounds together for him in that little back room which is right of picture. Back in the late 60’s early 70’s
Julie Warlow
Oh memories! Used to visit Grandad on Sunday morning, then visit Twiggys grasping my pocket money. Getting quite teary. Please tell me it’s still there??!!
Lynsey Blackburn
My friends mum and dad had this shop in the late 80’s ! We kept our ponies at the same stables in Ravenshead ! I loved being in this shop !
Christine Doughty
The little shop with the big reputation. Twigdens when I knew it. I think George Twigden used to drink in the Nag’s Head at Lambley. The shop is still there 876 Woodborough Road. It was recently a personal trainer’s studio but is now a tattoo parlour.
Alison Wainwright
Twigdens in 60s – I was only 3 but remember my dad giving me and my brother an old quality street tin to fill with sweets for us to sadly take to boarding school with us whilst our parents got divorced so bitter/sweet memory
Cazza Maria
I lived on Haywood growing up and it was always twigdons to us . A couple ran it of same name . sold best sweets ever. It was so lovely and traditional. I’m talking 1960s onwards. There was a counter the whole width, with jars of sweets and pick a mix help yourself, which I often picked more !! In the middle was chocolate and cigarettes and then ice cream newspapers . Long gone but great memories
Where Are The Families?
We’ve not heard from any of the Pinegar, Twigden or Smedley families, but the website for Nottinghamshire CCC tells us about Michael Smedley.
Cricket History
Michael John Smedley was born in Maltby on 28 October 1941. He was a promising cricketer from a young age and in 1961 was chosen for England Schools, having already been selected for Yorkshire Seconds. After leaving Notts, Smedley rejoined his old Bassetlaw League side, Kiveton Park. He continued to appear in club cricket until well into his 50s. In 2000 Smedley was elected President of the Bassetlaw League. He was elected President of the County Club at the Nottinghamshire AGM in 2010.
At the close of the 1977 season, Smedley agreed to stand down as captain and Clive Rice was appointed for 1978. Then came the brouhaha over Kerry Packer and Rice signing for the Australian’s cricket circus. Rice was sacked by Notts, threatened to sue, was reinstated as a player, but the captaincy returned to Smedley.
In July 1979, the Notts Manager decided to remove Smedley as captain and re-install Rice. Smedley resigned. There was a public outcry, but it was the end of Smedley’s county career.
rob
Mum used to let me buy a sweet if I’d been good at the doctor’s surgery close by. Early 1970’s.