Description:Bird Cage Walk is a narrow alley connecting Broad Street with Clough Street. The Students' Bookshop building is on the corner of Broad Street and Marsh Street in Hanley. Between this and the neighbouring building is the narrow lane, Bird Cage Walk. Originally the Students' Bookshop building was the house and shop of Samuel Cole, the largest glassmaker in North Staffordshire. He operated at the Falcon Glassworks in Shelton. The business cased trading in the early 1900s. The house and shop then became a draper's and later a tailor's. Since the photograph was taken, the building has been used as offices.
The neighbouring building dates from 1878 and has had a variety of uses including been the offices of the British Gaslight Company (in the early 1900s), the Mineworkers' Union, a branch of the Co-Operative Bank and a shop. Latterly it has become an Art Gallery.