'The Broo'

[Ted]

Hi Folks

Does anyone have any idea where the 'Labour Exchange' (also know as the Broo) would have been in the Tollcross area of Edinburgh around 1952? I know that there are modern Broo offices near Tollcross now - where High Riggs used to be, behind the site where Goldbergs store was up to the 1980's - but was the Broo always there?

Here's hoping

Ted

[AndrewP]

Hi Ted,

I vaguely remember the Labour Exchange at the foot of Lauriston Place / High Riggs, on the approach to Goldbergs from Tollcross. I have seen pictures including the Labour Exchange in that building with the trams running past, which dates them to 1956 or earlier.

These buildings were demolished in the early 1970s to make way for the widening of Earl Grey Street and other plans. The road widening took place, but most of site between Earl Grey Street, Reigo Street, Lauriston Place and High Riggs remained undeveloped for years. The Bank of Scotland building (that large glass-clad building) stands on the site nowadays.

The broo office that I remember in the 1980s was in Castle Terrace, at the back of the Argyle House government building. That has more recently been replaced by the current modern building in High Riggs.

All the best,

AndrewP

[Ted]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for that - I have a friend who lived very near to the Broo at Tollcross in 1952 - but she does not know exactly where - your info will help pinpoint it more precisely via valuation rolls etc - now that I know where to look. I did manage to get a photo of the Tollcross junction from 1955 - looking from Brougham Place along Earl Grey Street towards Lothian Road - unfortunately Lauriston Place / High Riggs is just out of the shot. The clock which once stood in the centre of the junction is in the shot. I'll see if I can send it to you.

Thanks again

Ted

[Ted]

Andrew

Just another thought - my friend says she lived in the flat directly above the Broo - could you point me to the source of the photo you mentioned as showing the building with the Labour Exchange.

Thanks

Ted