A Scottish perspective on interwar shopfronts

Lindsay Lennie
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Lindsay Lennie: Historic Shop Conservation

Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, 2020, vol. 8, issue 4, 365-379

Abstract: The interwar period was a time of rapid change. Despite the economic and political difficulties of the time, shopfronts were transformed from the traditional styles established in the Victorian period to sleek, shiny Art Deco frontages. Shopkeepers, inspired by brave architects and enthusiastic shopfitters, embraced the re-fronting of their premises in bronze, Vitrolite and terrazzo. These materials, now 90 years old, were not, however, designed to last. A lack of available materials, high cost of repair and a poor understanding of their significance means that these shopfronts are highly vulnerable to loss and inappropriate alteration. This paper explores the historic context, materials and issues with their conservation and repair.

Keywords: shopfront; interwar; Art Deco; Vitrolite; conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aza:jbsav0:y:2020:v:8:i:4:p:365-379

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