his 1926 advert: https://huddersfield.exposed/archive/item/2386 mentions the sale of gramophones and records (as well as pianos etc). A full-page advert in the 1937 Huddersfield County Borough Directory confirmed “there [was] always a huge library of records” at this shop, as well as musical instruments and player piano music rolls. The advert also noted Whitfields had already been in business for 60 years. A scanned 1942 receipt on the Huddersfield Exposed website (https://huddersfield.exposed/gallery/item/2369) appears to relate to a purchase of records and needles – note the HMV reference. Interestingly, a 1991 Huddersfield Examiner article (displayed at the current Townsounds exhibition) mentioned a jazz club existing in the basement of Whitfields around 1944/45, as well as recording sessions taking place upstairs. Whitfields were still listed at Ramsden Street in the 1956 County Borough of Huddersfield Directory. Established by June Whitfield’s great-grandfather (see: https://cdn.hd4.uk/sites/holmfirthhistory.org.uk/2021/04/JuneWhitfield.pdf).
“PHONOGRAPHS, RECORDS, & ACCESSORIES. WHERE? HERE! WHITFIELDS LTD., PIANO DEALERS, RAMSDEN STREET (Opp.The Town Hall), HUDDERSFIELD. Also 23 North Parade, Bradford and Westgate, Heckmondwike.”
… and this piece in the 27th August 1946 edition:
“When Whitfields first started in business these instruments, and their cousins the phonographs, were not even invented. They came much later and Whitfields were one of the first firms in the country to introduce them. So you see, Whitfields’ experience of Gramophones and in their turn Radiograms goes right back their birth. You should remember Whitfields for Gramophone and Radiogram repairs as well as for new Records. You can trust Whitfields. WHITFIELDS, RAMSDEN STREET.”