O is for Old Father Time

Old Father Time with scythe and bell above Winter's on Little Underbank. A former shop building constructed in the late 19th century was remodelled in the 1900s and again in the 1990s. The upper floors were decorated with three semi-circular headed niches, each with a pedimented canopy, hanging bell and a shaped plinth supporting a painted figure, to the left a soldier, to the centre Father Time, and to the right a sailor, each connected to the bell. A projecting illuminated square clock-face also hangs above the doorway.

Here is the view from the top of St Petersgate Bridge.

Jacob Winter, a successful Jewish businessman, established a watch and clock repair business here at 23 Little Underbank in around 1890, expanding into #25 in the early 1900s, when the frontage was remodelled. The shop front included a patent mechanism to lower the entire display into the basement, for security. The clock has been restored and re-built on several occasions due to traffic damage. The jewellers closed in the 1980s and the premises have since been in use as a bar.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.