History
No.25 Market Place
The first shop to take up position at No.25 Market Place was William Ballance’s Flowers, Fruit and Seeds shop. Far from being a new enterprise, however, this shop was in fact Ballance’s third such venture.
Ballance had previously had a shop at the bottom end of Wakefield Road. This building had been demolished around fifteen years earlier, however, to make way for the construction of the new Town Hall, which was opened in 1889, a decade earlier than The Arcade.
As compensation for the demolition of his business premises, it appears that Ballance was offered a shop in Market Place by way of consolation. Despite also having this second shop partially demolished to make way for southern entrance to The Arcade, Ballance refused to be defeated, subsequently taking up residence in the premises on the right-hand side of the southern entrance archway (in much the same location as the demolished shop) where he remained for many years.
Ballance’s was a florist from another era. As well as selling flowers and plants, they also sold fruit and vegetables as well as agricultural supplies such as bulbs and seeds.
Ballance was a respected member of the town’s business community. In long black coat and sporting a bowler hat, he cut an impressive figure. He lived at one time in a grand house at the crest of Leeds Road. This later became a pub, The Whistler, and later still, Tesco. As a devotee of Dewsbury Rugby League Club, the residence was conveniently located close to his beloved Crown Flatt.
Perhaps a better-known and more fondly remembered occupant of No.25, however, was the legendary Ann’s Pantry, one of the best of several renowned bakers and confectioners in Dewsbury town centre.
Ann’s Pantry reputedly sold the best Eccles Cakes in Dewsbury. Locals with a craving for one (or more) of these currant filled treats were advised to visit the shop in the morning, as they would often be sold out by lunchtime. Other popular products included Yorkshire Tea Cakes, fresh sandwiches and Turog loaves. Queues outside Ann’s Pantry would regularly extend up into The Arcade, sometimes blocking the entrance to neighbouring shops.
Ann’s Pantry consciously evoked the Victorian heritage of The Arcade. Delicious cakes and sweet treats adorned the glass shelves of the window display, which was always beautifully decorated. Inside, sliding doors gave access to the confectionery, with an old-style cupboard giving additional storage space. The decorative cash register, with its big white keys, was reminiscent of a bygone age.
‘Ann’s Pantry was the best place to work! I started working with the company in 1978 and finished working there in 1982. They sold the best confectionery and bread in Dewsbury. Their celebration cakes were amazing and made with the finest ingredients. Their wedding cakes were made to perfection too, and with great attention to detail.’ Deborah Wood.
More recently, and reflecting the ever-changing times and tastes, No.25 was occupied by Quicksilver slots and amusements.