This postcard depicts a street scene taken from the end of Dale Road, at the junction to Matlock Bridge which crosses the River Derwent. The shop on the left of the image is H. Barnwell and Son, a local seller of watches and time pieces. There is a suggestion that the gentleman stood outside the shop is owner Harry Barnwell. His father, Henry Barnwell moved from Birmingham to Matlock, and established his business in 1876. Henry Barnwell Jr (known as Harry) took over the running of the business in 1887 when his father died.
The site, No5 Dale Road is now currently occupied by a branch of HSBC Bank. The original shop was demolished and made way for the bank in a Georgian style around the time of 1917.
This street scene itself has been dated to about 1900.
To see more images of this area and learn more about this part of Matlock and the Barnwell’s shop visit the Wirksworth Parish Records.