Number 97 - 99

Please note all dates are approximate. 

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page.

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow. 

2021 © V Russell

Late 19th Century - Robert Burns Inn occupied the full block 97 - 101 but by the start of the 1900's it was a house and 2 shops. Later the house was incorporated to make the double fronted 97/99, with 101 becoming a butchers shop.

1902 A Leitch, Ladies Outfitters

1914 J Leitch, starts in No 97 but listed in No 99 from 1917

1921 T Woodman

1925 Nathaniel Dalling, Confectioner

1929 William Halbert, Baker

William (Wull) Halbert first worked in Mitchell's bakery in Annan and when threatened with a cut in wages went to work instead for Tom Francis (at No39) until setting up his own business in 1927. It was a  family business with only 2/3 outside workers. Bread was risen in barrels and kneaded by hand for this small family bakery. (ROM 1990) 

They were however famous for their pies - the recipe for which was a closely guarded secret although their fame spread far & wide. 

Memories: "Many households had a Halbert's pie for Saturday lunch. They were priced at 2d for small and 3½d for large. Their other specialities were sugar buns at 1d or iced buns at 1½d! A one-tier wedding cake was 25/- (£1.25)" 

Workers in The Observer over the road remember looking out the window and wondering whether their wages would run to a pie or a bun from the shop.

1961/2 The building was under reconstruction after W Halbert retired. 

1963 Percy Brothers 

RoM 1987, 1991,1992

Percy Brothers, from Dumfries, had this shop as a TV and record shop, David Gillies remembers that it was managed for many years by Mrs Jenny Pool.

1995 M Graham

1996  Brian’s Pine 

RoM 1996

1998  Semple & Fergusson, Electrical goods. 
Memories: "This shop was managed by Brian Moore, assisted by George Wright whose paintings of Annan and the surrounding area were very popular." 

RoM 2000

2007 Magnolia Brides inc Sew 'n' Sew

Geograph website 

2014 Border Images, Photographer

Border Images offered general and portrait photography but were also well known for photographing weddings around the area.

2016 Line Out 
A technology company, phones were downstairs but computers & help were upstairs.

yell.com

2019 Home Sweet Home, Furniture, interiors and giftware.
Originally over the road at Number 70, they moved to bigger premises at Number 97 in 2019.