The fresh prince of Bel-Air

[L0311 Liberty Shrimper]

This might be the worst or maybe even the best time to post this thread, but I simply have to mark it in some way. I've been arriving at Roots Hall along Fairfax drive since I was old enough to form and hold memories (1984-85) and this place right here is as important to me as any singular part of match day. For me it is intrinsically linked, along with the awe of the floodlights, the smell of burgers and tobacco, and the hubbub of football chat between generations.

As a boy and even really to this day it has always fascinated me that there's would be such a "shop" in this particular location and even more fascinating how it has survived for so many decades. It is with an overwhelming heavy heart that I see it might finally be commited only to memory.

Thankyou Bel-air for being as much a part of my Southend United life as David Crown, Webby, Tilson and the old girl in Roots Hall herself.

My journey to this sacred place will not be quite the same again.

Shrimper salutes Scuba

 

[Mad Cyril]

Repaired my dry suit at a very reasonable rate.

 

[Richard Hearn]

In my short-lived scuba diving career, I used to get my bits and pieces from there.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Would make an ideal chippy.

 

[Richard Hearn]

Would make an ideal chippy.

All fish sustainably caught with a spear gun.

 

[L0311 Liberty Shrimper]

Would make an ideal chippy.

She's not even cold.....

But yes it would.

 

[Special Blue]

Strangely I was talking about this while in Gateshead and my fellow shrimpers didn't have a clue about this place.

 

[Swiss Tony]

The window cill is actually my half way rest seat for my spine problem, I do hope they don’t change the shop front the bastards.

 

[Ipswhrimp]

Would make an ideal chippy.

But it'll be an American candy store or a vape shop.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Has anyone actually seen any customers in these vape shops?

 

[L0311 Liberty Shrimper]

Has anyone actually seen any customers in these vape shops?

Never, not once.

Money laundering

 

[L0311 Liberty Shrimper]

Strangely I was talking about this while in Gateshead and my fellow shrimpers didn't have a clue about this place.

Funny isn't it. Others will have different links and memories for their match day experiences. For me this is a huge one. I was hoping it would trigger people to perhaps post some of theirs.

 

[C V Shrimper]

There used to be a newsagent opposite, we always called in there to buy a match day programme.

 

[B.B.The Legend Lives On.]

View attachment 36965
This might be the worst or maybe even the best time to post this thread, but I simply have to mark it in some way. I've been arriving at Roots Hall along Fairfax drive since I was old enough to form and hold memories (1984-85) and this place right here is as important to me as any singular part of match day. For me it is intrinsically linked, along with the awe of the floodlights, the smell of burgers and tobacco, and the hubbub of football chat between generations.

As a boy and even really to this day it has always fascinated me that there's would be such a "shop" in this particular location and even more fascinating how it has survived for so many decades. It is with an overwhelming heavy heart that I see it might finally be commited only to memory.

Thankyou Bel-air for being as much a part of my Southend United life as David Crown, Webby, Tilson and the old girl in Roots Hall herself.

My journey to this sacred place will not be quite the same again.

Shrimper salutes Scuba

Oh no Bel Air, ironically they were one of the very first shirt sponsors of the Southend United Supporters Club Football Club back in and around the mid 1980's. when I was a player(??), manager(?) and a better chairman than you know who. For more information over to you the legendary Whispering Bob.

 

[L0311 Liberty Shrimper]

Oh no Bel Air, ironically they were one of the very first shirt sponsors of the Southend United Supporters Club Football Club back in and around the mid 1980's. when I was a player(??), manager(?) and a better chairman than you know who. For more information over to you the legendary Whispering Bob.

I have vague memories of seeing this in a match day programme? In black and white of course.

 

[londonblue]

It's funny because I'd walked past that place for years, but it was only when I took up SCUBA diving that I realised what it was. I never saw anyone in there so I wasn't surprised it closed down. It lasted a whole lot longer than I expected though.