Until the mid 60s High Street pharmacies did not sell contraceptives. They had to be bought either from the barber (in a plain brown envelope) or from a "Surgical Appliance" shop. These were usually located in dingy back streets. I know that there was one on High Bridge, and also, I believe, on Pink Lane. The generic name for such shops was Dirty Dick's, no doubt after the original owner of the first one.
You're wrong there mike, I was a pharmacy assistant in the MID 50s and we sold DUREX in pks of 3 they were 2/6 a packet. I remember it well.
Many a bloke who came in and saw me just asked for a box of ASPRO's
(I wonder why)
Believe it or not I was a bit naive when I was 14 many many years ago and a girl asked me to go in the chemist and ask for a packet of 3. But I did have a little bit of sense not to go in but I soon found out what they were.
You may be right Jem. Certainly Boot's didn't sell them (might have had something to do with religion at the time). You have, however, resurrected a long-forgotten phrase; "A packet of three". Everyone knew what that meant. Blimey, 2/6? That was only 10d a go.
maybe the benefits weren't in place and getting the proverbial council house, so they went and got them?
if not, they were looked on as being a bit fast and loose with their favours