The York Ghost Signs Project

Kirby and Nicholson

 

Address: The Courtyard, Guildhall, 1-3 Coney St, York YO1 9QN (now the Guildhall off Coney Street)

 

Description

Six horizontal white lines of text sweep across the building, with two windows bisecting them.

 

The words are largely unintelligible, except the word “furnishings” and “joinery”, and possibly “wholesale” on the left.

 

History

Kirby and Nicholson, a silk mercers, drapers, and ladies’ outfitter business, was established in 1876 by Henry Potter-Kirby.

 

They operated out of a building known as ‘Victoria House’ on Coney Street

 

1885 – Advert from the Yorkshire Herald

 

During World War II, Potter-Kirby sold Kirby and Nicholson to Rowntrees of Scarborough, and by the 1950s, the business had transitioned into Rowntree’s Department Store.

 

1911 – On the left ‘Victoria House’ is visible, where Kirby & Nicholson was located                                                                                    Source: York Press

 

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