Here is Matlock Bath's North Parade, from the bottom of Holme Road looking south. The photographer was standing beside the Midland Hotel to take the picture.

The Promenade is behind the fencing on the left. On the far right is Bryan's drapery and hosiery shop, run by William Bryan at this time^[2]. William was the son of Benjamin Bryan who had owned the Rutland Cavern until 1860^[2]. William's brother, also called Benjamin, wrote the comprehensive "History of Matlock"^[3].

Wyvill's shop sign is clearly visible^[4]. This was a grocery run by William Herbert Wyvill, whose father was running The Fish Pond Hotel. The Wyvill family came to Matlock Bath between 1861 and 1864, when the surname first appears in a Matlock & District trades directory^[5].

Whilst it is very difficult to read the sign, the shop next door could just be the Hallam's butcher's shop. Next to it is the Central Restaurant, run for many years by Frederic Dalton. The church spire belongs to the Derwent Terrace Methodist Church and beyond that the black oval sign is for the George Vaults.

Some of Matlock Bath's cab drivers did not behave well. In July 1907 Allen Orton of North Parade was summoned for violent and abusive conduct on 26th June. He wrote to the court admitting the offence, so the case was adjourned^[6]. A fortnight later he appeared in front of the Bench, alongside Albert Mycroft, a labourer from Starkholmes. The two were accused of violent and abusive conduct and P.C. Bentley said they had been fighting at 11.20p.m., although no reason was given. Both were fined 10s, with 7s costs^[7]. A Derby motorist was fined the following month for leaving his car on the Parade for an unreasonable time. His wife gave evidence, saying they had left their vehicle whilst they had tea, but the Chairman of the Bench unsympathetically commented that her husband had a bad record! So they may have had history for blocking the road, but is not clear where they could have parked instead as not every premises along the Parade had a garage for its patrons. They were also fined.

References:

^[1] Gem of the Peak, 1840 has a little about Benjamin Bryan. Several members of the family are commemorated on Memorials at Holy Trinity Church.

^[2] Biography of the Bryan family

^[3] Information about "The History of Matlock"

^[4] Kelly's 1908 Directory (Matlock Bath section).

^[5] See Kelly's 1864 Directory

^[6] "Derbyshire Times", 6 July 1907.

^[7] "Derbyshire Times", 20 July 1907. Matlock Bath.

^[8] "Derbyshire Times", 17 August July 1907. Motorist fined at Matlock. The fine was 10s. with 8s costs. The couple had given similar reasons when fined before.