Walsall shop attracts world's curiosity

It may be a little shop in Walsall, where it has been for 45 years.

But this antiques store pulls in visitors from across the world, according to its owner.

A local directory from the 1950s, metal canal bridge sign and an original photograph of Walsall's outdoor market are just some of the new arrivals at the Curio Shop.

And it's not just Black Country folk who flock to the shop in George Street to pick up a quirky item or two.

The shop is a worldwide hit, says owner Spencer Evans, with customers visiting from as far away as South Korea or America. Mr Evans said: "We've had some really interesting items come into us. ew things come in all the time. There's an army of collectors out there who come in and people who just want to redecorate their homes with some unusual items."

On the shelf at the moment is a Walsall red book, a local directory. Mr Evans added: "They are really useful for people researching their family trees. These are like gold.

"It's research potential is massive. The one we have is one of the last to be published in the 1950s.

"They started printing them at the beginning of the last century. It's selling for £50." For canal enthusiasts, there's an old sign from Rayboulds Bridge in Walsall with a price tag of £75. The bridge used to be at the entrance of Walsall Power Station in Reedswood.

And another item at the shop is a 1974 photo of Walsall Market, mounted on thick card, on sale for £20. Mr Evans added: "The market back in those days was thriving. "It used to go all the way up to St Matthew's Church. It was the busiest in the Midlands. This is an original photo not a print.

"We've got items from 50p up to £500 in the shop. Stock is constantly changing and we have customers coming in from overseas, not just the Black Country."

Mr Evans has owned the shop since 1992 but the Curio Shop has been in Walsall since 1969.