The Mall, Craigshill
Having depended upon the travelling shops for our odds and ends or else travelling outwith the town for our main supplies, the opening of the Craigshill Mall in 1968 was a great blessing.
It was within reasonable walking distance from wherever you stayed in Craigshill. The variety of shops was staggering;
How many of you reading this remember what they were? Here are some but not necessarily in order. Remember, the Mall was almost double the size as it is today, (2010). In 1977, when the Regional Centre opened, the Mall was refurbished and the west end of it was demolished to make way for the large supermarket, Somerfields,
Entering from the High School end there were the Almond Cafe with the shoe shop upstairs, Post Office, Stricklands Hardware, National Savings Bank which then became Livingston Development Corporation, Launderette.
Going down a small decline, there were the Co-op Supermarket, Sneddons fishmonger with a staircase between them leading up to a barber shop (John Bird). Anderson the Bakers, Decor-Design, a wallpaper shop with a toy department upstairs. Another shop or two then finally McKays Travel Agency and a betting shop. A chip shop was above this with the entrance on the outside.
Retracing our steps on the other side was the Clydesdale Bank, a Job Centre, Hawthorn hairdresser, Cochrane supermarket.
Going up the ramp to the higher section you had a Telephone Booth then R S McColls. Between them and the Royal Bank of Scotland at the end, were Butcher, Clan House drapery shop, British Relay, Chemist (Scott or Glen?) and Karen`s Hairdresser.
Note; The Mall was reputed to be the first covered shopping centre in Scotland.
1970`s photo of the Mall. This is the end that is still in existence
West Entrance
