AJ Banks, Gents outfitter of Horsemarket Street

Here we stand before A.J. Banks, a proud gentlemen’s outfitter on Horsemarket Street, photographed around 1906. Four well-dressed men pose confidently in front of the elegant brick façade, framed by richly decorated shop windows brimming with hats, shirts, gloves, and formalwear — everything the Edwardian gentleman might require. The word "Hatter" above the arched window hints at the importance of headwear in the fashion of the time.

Shops like this were more than just retail establishments — they were vital hubs of town life and symbols of upward mobility, especially in a bustling market town like Warrington, which was rapidly modernising during the early 20th century.

This photograph is a precious relic of a time when style, service and presentation defined the shopping experience. It speaks of craft, care and local pride.

If you have old photographs of shops, trades or street scenes from your family albums, don’t let them fade away. Share them on Oldpik.com and become part of preserving the everyday elegance of yesterday’s world.