Smithford Street (inc. Ram Bridge)

This picture shows Currys across the road from the arcade entrance. 1,000,000

Fantastic picture Osmiroid, I almost feel as if I could be standing there Curry's is occupying part of what used to be the main post office building, before it moved to Hertford Street.

Thanks Dutchman I estimated the arcade front to be where that glass covered escalator is, I don't know how far off I am with that?

Yes terrific one yet again Osmiroid Especially in 'Open image in new tab' glorious full size!!

Close Osmiroid! It was a little further west according this map from 1956:

Thanks Dutchman, interesting map!

This also shows clearly the line of Smithford Street in relationship to Broadgate House and the Precinct

Do you know I never even spotted that Cliff! Its one of Robs photos

MR may I return to my question where I was talking about the reason for the "Elephant on the stick" and its positioning at what I thought was an object I thought I could see at that point on the old postcard.

I should point out that Smithford Street is much further to the left than it appears in the photograph, it aligned with the High Street and not with the gap between Broadgate House and the Leofric Hotel. During construction pedestrians were forced to make a considerable detour around Broadgate House and a bombed out basement in order to reach Broadgate.

Maybe this is where the elephant started life?

You miss the point Frontages of Smithford Street buildings still standing appear in the view - as well as the new layout of the Upper Precinct

The elephant was not installed until 1948, long after that postcard view "At the time of its installation in March 1948, the 56 foot (17m) high aluminium mast surmounted by a 5 foot (1.5m) high elephant and castle was referred to as the 'Coventry Standard' and was designed to have flags flown from the yard arms. It was one of the earliest signs of the post-war reconstruction of the city centre and represented the products of local industry. The mast was constructed by Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd, the elephant and castle by Motor Panels (Coventry) Ltd, the aluminium and gold colouring was supplied by John Astley and Sons Ltd and flags supplied by Holbrooks (Coventry) Ltd."

I don't believe I missed the point at all. Due to compression of distance the picture gives the impression that the precinct follows the line of Smithford Street and some people here seem to think that was indeed the case.

Gentlemen Could it be you are both right and both wrong, I believe the Precinct cut through half of Smithford Street, from top to bottom, given a few shops. To me the back of Woolies was the back of Smithford Street etc. So much came down and so much went up who the hell knows what happened. I think most was washed away down to Spon End in the 1953 floods. Have a nice day. Kaga.