Black Cat, the garage, was on the Yarmouth Road,
just at the top end of Grammar School Road. It
sold Jet petrol and had car servicing facilities, an
MoT Testing station and had a fleet of ‘Black Cat’
coaches.

“In 1968, we bought a venerable Austin A30 from
a man in Mundesley Road. He sold it as a 1957
model but, in fact, it had been halfway round the
world at the time it was registered in this country,
originating as an export-model to Australia, and
was actually manufactured in 1953! Part of the
car’s registration number was ‘TOW’ and, yes,
it required to be towed on one occasion! A few
months after buying the A30 it required an MoT
test – Black Cat warned us the car wouldn’t pass
another , and it just had to go!”

“In 1970, we decided to move from North Walsham to a newly-built house in Wymondham, south of Norwich and, in fact, still had the old A30! I had this idea, due to all the rattling and rumbling coming from the engine, that a complete rebuild was called for!”

“The rebuild was ‘entrusted’ to a shifty character at a garage close to the water tower (I hasten to add this was not Black Cat!). He gave a ‘written’ estimate ‘Biroed’ on the palm of his hand and, misguided, I paid £30 on account. When the work was completed – new engine bearing shells and reground crankshaft – it was worse than ever!”

“A day or so later, leaking water badly and aided
by a smokescreen to disguise our departure from
North Walsham, we moved to Wymondham and
the outstanding amount was left unpaid.
Two weeks later a brand-new engine had to be
fitted and, within six months, our little A30, which
was on its last legs (wheels?), was traded in for a
1961 Morris Minor 1000 (that was almost in a
similar state, as it was later to be discovered!).”

Lidl, a supermarket, with a large car-park on its
left, has now replaced Black Cat.

On the Yarmouth Road with Black Cat, or Lidl as it
is today, we come to the end of our brief excursion
of bygone shops and businesses in North Walsham.

“There are many more adverts in our little guide
book of course, and we hope to add to these pages
as time goes on. But, if you have any further
information regarding the shops mentioned, please
email us as we would like to hear from you!”

RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

RETURN TO NORTH WALSHAM