My memories go back to the 1940s of the Handley Arcade. The Leeming St., entrance shows the Baby Land and Mudfords, tent makers shops. Further shops on the Left hand side were Lyles, Photographers and art supplies, they had their own Studio, and Jones, Herbalist and Chiroprotactor. Around the corner leading to Toothill Ln was Mansfield Rubber Company showroom on the right side of the alley. The left side was a Gents hairdressers, very expensive and the last shop on the left side facing Toothill Ln was Walkers Hardware shop. I remember going in for a Tool Bass in 1952 when I left school, Mr Walker was about 80 years of age and served in the shop, he would disappear for about 10 minutes and one could hear him scurrying upstairs looking for the bag. You had to be very patient in those days. I know someone who has a 1958 Gazateer published by Linneys and will fill in the other shops names later.

I can remember some of the shops inside the arcade from the 50/60/70's. I was a child in the 50's and remember my Mum & Dad would often take me to Babyland, the toy shop. Then in the 60's I was an art student and would buy artist materials in Lyle's, art supplies. In the 70's I would buy haberdashery from Sally Twinkle's. And Jones, the herbalist, I would buy my weleda shampoo. And I bought a riding coat from Rubber Products Supply Co. Peter John was the hairdressers. And Keeley's was (and still is) the Ladies outfitter and milliners.

Handley Arcade, perusing the 1957 gazeteer I have found the following. Commencing at the Leeming St. entrance, Babyland and Mudfords, The Borough club [A Moorhouse] Millers business College, L H Ong arts supplies [ later to become Lyles, Knitcraft, WVS centre, Jones [herbalist and dietary supplies], Public Library binding dept.,Rubber Products, Mayfair Hairdressing, Walkers [Ironmongers] and Keeleys, Milliners. If you use the zoom facility you can read the names of products in the shop windows. The Arcade was opened in 1927 I believe, Mansfield had their Mall years before they became the norm.

I suppose this was an early form of present day Shopping Malls with Leeming Street The Market Stockwell Gate West Gate who needed The Four Seasons and caused the the Demise of Local Trades People and to my mind the Character of the Town Centre