White Lion, Smithford Street

Not sure if it's been posted before, but just appeared of FB - from 1954

Hi all, I thought these images had been posted but I can't see them, please delete if they are duplicates.

Thanks Heathite for the photos, especially the one including M&S. I've walked over the mosaic many times making a bee line for that entrance.

You're very welcome Helen and thank you for the encouragement. As you've probably guessed I included the M&S image to help others locate 'old and new'. I for one would not have known.

How did they build M&S without seeing them even if hidden?

I can't be certain, but I would think they probably did see that mosaic when they were building M&S - and probably much more besides. However, unlike nowadays, when finding the mosaic is a novelty, and regarded as historic, all they would've been concerned with in the 1950s was getting our new city centre finished. Like I said though, I can't be certain of any of that - this is only the view of someone born in 1965!!

It's not my area of interest but having flicked through loads of pictures of the Precinct, the paved area has changed many times. From the original road to grass, to different sorts of paving etc. Planting areas have sprung up and then been removed. I think that they must have exposed the mosaic at least once and reburied it during all that. Personally I wanted them to explore the bit with the cobbles, beyond the mosaic. Given the mess they seem to have made of the Cross trying to move it, perhaps the best thing for the mosaic is to leave it where it is.

Moving mosaic in sections.

I still think they should've left the White Lion mosaic where it was - treated/preserved and covered with some kind of Perspex. It was the only indicator of the line of the original street. Would have been cheaper too. Sadly it's all been removed now and the whole area covered in tarmac

I tried to voice that opinion Osmiroid with the White Lion mosaic as the only remaining identifier of the original line of the Street but they've just dug it up "to be relaid elsewhere"

The mosaic has been re-laid very close to where it was found. It has been rotated 180 degrees, but this should may it easier to view on the new layout.

To me that makes it all the more confusing as to why they moved it in the first place, given it's not gone far and would've marked the hotel and the line of Smithford Street nicely in its original location.

I imagine that it was too close to the current buildings and they seem to have set it in a protective bund? It would either have acted as an obstacle or be walked over to destruction.

I think they could've left it in-situ after treating/preserving and covered it with some kind of light and perspex. Would've been cheaper as well.