Number 92

  Please note that 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 by email : annan.memories@outlook.com. 

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On the 1848/1858 map of Annan this block is labelled Western Bank (branch). After the bank closed  Robert Caie and William Pool, grocers, took over. In 1895 when Caie & Pool was dissolved  William Pool & Son took on the shop. In 1912 they sold it to Harding & Taylor.  Mrs Gertrude Harding made the investment, with Mr Harry Taylor, hoping that her son Laurie Harding would make a career in the Grocery Trade. However he only remained in the business a few years.

When she retired Harry Taylor continued the business, with his son Wilson Gibson Taylor, under the name of Harry Taylor & Son. Harry Taylor had served a 6 year grocery apprenticeship in Kinross before being appointed Manager of McJerrow’s at 57 High Street in 1905. He continued there until buying 92 High Street. After Harry Taylor’s death in 1952 WG (Gib) Taylor continued to run the business until his son, Ronald, joined the firm in 1957.  In 1959 they opened a branch in Caledonian Crescent which Ronald continued to run until 1993 when it was sold to Abdul Chaudhary.

The business on the High Street was sold to Walter Willson in 1969 - a larger chain of shops from NE England. Eventually it stopped being a grocery/supermarket when McKays clothes store (later branded M&Co) moved in. Smiler's Gift and Coffee shop have now refurbished the store as they moved over the road from number Number 87.

2021 © V Russell

1870 receipt of Caie & Pool 

Photo from Annan Museum collection
Above the door the sign says William Pool & Son
(late)
CAIE & POOL

1985 RoM showed this picture 'from the past'

1930s Winners of the 'Golden Shred' Bowling Competition.
Back row Andrew Cowan (57 High Street), Irving Blake Co-op (29 High Street)
Front row Harry Taylor (92 High Street), Joseph Bell (JB) Rae (115
 High Street)
Picture courtesy Ronald Taylor

This photo was supplied by Ronald Taylor

Ronald Taylor's collection

1964 RoM showing a previous parade
Taylor & Son can be seen in their shop window.

Courtesy of Ronald Taylor - Inside the shop in colour

Courtesy Ronald Taylor 

1848 Western Bank

1891 Caie & Pool, Grocer

1900 William Pool and Son, Grocer, Wine & spirits

1915 Harding & Taylor, Grocer

1933 Harry Taylor & Son, Grocer

1970 Empty

1975 Walter Willson, Grocer

1990 Empty

1991 MacKays ( M&Co)

© 2025 Google (taken in 2009)

2021 Smilers, Cards, gifts, weddings, cafe 

Old Adverts. 

1908 Annandale Observer
there was trouble in the Pool household

1911 Annandale Observer

1920s Queen of the Border Guide

1925 RoM

1934 Letter heading

1955 RoM

1959 RoM now mentions Frozen food and their 
second store at Caledonian Crescent

Annandale Observer has reprinted a 1968 advert of
Harry Taylor & Son recently

2020 © P Russell

Note the ghost of a building long demolished on the side of number 92. At 94 High Street was the Albert Hotel but by 1924 it was Eskdale creamery for about 10 years. There was a fire in the building and eventually it was demolished in order to widen Dickswell Wynd.

Dec 2022 Annandale Observer

Jan 2024 Annandale Observer