In 2022-23 Historic England commissioned several photographers to work with local communities to capture images representative of their local high streets. This formed part of the Picturing High Streets project. In Prescot, Tony Mallon was commissioned as photographer. This image is one from the first of two sets of images taken as part of the commission. Mallon wrote the following text to describe his work on the project: "I have been working in collaboration with local residents from Prescot since summer 2021. At the beginning of my residency, I explored Prescot Town Centre’s rich history with its residents through a series of Photography and Memory Fairs. People’s archival photographs and stories revealed how much the ‘High Street’ has played an important and fond role in their lives – their first kiss, watching television for the first time through a shop window or looking forward to your pick and mix sweets on a Saturday. A selection of these images and stories where displayed on shop fronts at three locations on the ‘high street’. It was beautiful to see/read what have been up to then private moments, usually only shared with family/friends become accessible to the public. It was fascinating getting a glimpse of people’s history." The photographer added the following information about this image: "Owner, David has been repairing shoes since he left school over 30 years ago. In 2019, he opened his shop, Northern Sole in the Prescot Centre on Eccleston Street. The shop offers shoe repairs, key cutting & engravings.
He is also a specialist in restoring vintage trainers in particular the Adidas brand. He has an international client base and has collectors from all around the world, who send them their vintage trainers to be repaired." 'Picturing England's High Streets' commission by Open Eye Gallery, Historic England and Photoworks.
Part of a collaborative project by Tony Mallon and the Prescot Photography Group.
This is part of the Job: HEC01/128/01/04/01 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Tony Mallon: Prescot - Photography and Memory Fairs; within the Volume: HEC01/128/01/04 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Tony Mallon: Prescot; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/01 Picturing High Streets: Photographer Residencies; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Tony Mallon
Photographer: Mallon, Tony
21st Century Cobblers Workshop, People At Work
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