I found this in the 'Streatham News' dated 12th February 1926:
“HURLEY'S - WHERE THE BOOKS COME FROM. 223 Balham High Rd. AND 14,16,18 Ritherdon Rd., UPPER TOOTING. S.W.17.”
... and this in the 'Norwood News' dated 20th September 1940:
“HURLEY'S OF BALHAM have been in business in Balham for over 40 years, and are STILL CARRYING ON, in spite of Hitler, at CHAPMAN'S CORNER, BALHAM HIGH ROAD. We thank you for your kindnesses and WANT YOUR BUSINESS AS USUAL.”
... and this address in the 'South Western Star' dated 30th September 1955:
“HURLEYS LIBRARY Ltd., 223/5 Balham High Road. BAL. 4436.”
Mark Griffiths
30 Dec 2024 at 08:59
Hurley's was a small department store selling pretty much what you see listed on the striped Hurley's bag. Its record 'department' was compact with a couple of listening booths and what was a very run of the mill selection of 45s and albums (if it was in the Top 20, they'd have it). I asked for a copy of Eric Donaldson's 'Cherry Oh Baby' during summer `71 - they didn't have a clue about Trojan beyond the Pioneers and Bob and Marcia and couldn't understand what I was on about. Fortunately the penny dropped and I got a copy from nearby Record Corner. But Hurley's was sometimes good for its 10p 45s clearance box - I got a copy of the Supremes' 'Stoned Love' from there not long after it had left the chart. The store closed not long after we left Balham - probably about 1974 - and became a branch of Argos which amazingly after all this time is still there.
“HURLEY'S - WHERE THE BOOKS COME FROM. 223 Balham High Rd. AND 14,16,18 Ritherdon Rd., UPPER TOOTING. S.W.17.”
... and this in the 'Norwood News' dated 20th September 1940:
“HURLEY'S OF BALHAM have been in business in Balham for over 40 years, and are STILL CARRYING ON, in spite of Hitler, at CHAPMAN'S CORNER, BALHAM HIGH ROAD. We thank you for your kindnesses and WANT YOUR BUSINESS AS USUAL.”
... and this address in the 'South Western Star' dated 30th September 1955:
“HURLEYS LIBRARY Ltd., 223/5 Balham High Road. BAL. 4436.”