GOING back 100 years or so, many town or city dwellers spent all of their lives in the same neighbourhood.

A change of house might mean just moving a couple of streets away.

The accompanying image dates to around 1910 and was used to promote the former Kidd Brothers, an enterprising Greenock firm of furniture removers.

In addition to local movements, a UK-wide service was offered.

Established in 1878, the business stated: “Kidd Brothers have six large covered furniture vans for removing furniture, and would direct attention to the advantage of removing household effects in their covered safety vans, which are specially adapted to the requirements of road, rail and river transit.

“Being specially constructed to accommodate the furnishings of several ordinary rooms, all expense of packing, loading and unloading at railway stations is avoided, also the great risk which always attends the removal of valuable furnishings in such cases.

“Kidd Brothers undertake removals to and from any place within the United Kingdom.”

Located in West Blackhall Street for many years, the business was also involved in cabinetmaking, upholstering and the production of venetian blinds.

Greenock Telegraph:

Around the time of the photograph it was run by Ben Kidd, of Strathview, Kilmacolm, and Robert Kidd, of 3 Kelly Street, Greenock.

A street directory from 1957 indicates ownership of Kidd Brothers had passed to William Buchanan, of 85 Brisbane Street, Greenock.

The Kidd Brothers advertisement with a Grey Place address comes from a 1965 directory when it would appear furniture removals were no longer undertaken.