Shops No Longer With Us-Who Remembers These ?

Firstly, I haven’t forgotten to carry on with my Chester nightclubs trip down Memory Lane. I’m on the case still. But, a bit of a diversion in this post. It’s still a trip down Memory Lane themed but putting Chester nightclubs to one side for now, I’m going to mention shops no longer with us.

Like other Memory Lane posts, I’m not going to mention each and every shop. There are other websites that will provide that sort of factual information. No, in line with my other Memory Lane posts about pubs and clubs, I’m going to write about shops no longer with us from my own experiences and memories.

Will I be able to cover them in the one post? Who knows. Once I get in full flow there well may be a need for a part two….or, dare I say, a part three!! We’ll see.

Shops No Longer With Us

What prompted me to switch briefly from Chester nightclubs to shops no longer with us was as a result of……you’ve guessed it!! A conversation in the pub. Shock, horror!!! Who’d have thought. Also, no big surprise the conversation took place in The Cottage.

So, there I was slowly sipping my organic, multi-healthy, fruit juice and the conversation got onto football.

NB: Whoa…..whoa….back up a bit!! Football? I thought this was to be about shops no longer with us?

Hang on, hang on. Give me a chance and I’ll explain. Firstly, talking footie turned out to be an introduction to the shops no longer with us discussion. And secondly, talking footie in a pub is mandatory isn’t it??

Anyway, back on track. Let me get going on the shops no longer with us theme.

Shops No Longer With Us – Let The Story Begin

Yes, the football chat was in full flow when going off onto a bit of a tangent, the conversation got onto football memorabilia. I have loads of necessary, quality footie memorabilia and souvenirs.

NB: Hang, hang on. Someone’s shouting something to me………er, I beg your pardon!!! No, it’s not a pile of old tat and no I won’t be throwing any of it out!! Women!!!

Included in the plethora of footie gold souvenirs is a whole load of footie programmes. I have loads of them. In fact I had a whole lot more until quite a few years ago when I gave a load of them away. At the time I didn’t realise how valuable they were and someone I knew was more into footie programmes at the time than I was, so I let him have a load he didn’t have. Silly me!!

But anyway, footie programmes.

Does anyone remember the football programme shop that used to be on Bridge Street Row?

Shops No Longer With Us – Football Programme Shop

When I was a babby I recall there was a football programme shop up on Bridge Street Row. A very basic, small shop. When you walked in, the counter was on the right if I’m not mistaken and behind the counter attached to the wall was what looked like a homemade wooden framework consisting of small individual compartments. These compartments were labelled alphabetically.

In each letter compartment were a variety of footie programmes. I don’t know why, but for a long time I was after an Aldershot programme. I think as there was always quite a few Arsenal and Aston Villa programmes in the “A” box and none for Aldershot it became a bit of a personal mission.

I had to have an Aldershot programme. As well as popping in to the shop to get myself a few other programmes, I would more often than not, ask the question, “any Aldershot programmes by any chance?”

“No!! No!! What d’ya mean, no!!”

No big deal really, but as I say, I was on a personal mission. I do have an Aldershot programme now though you’ll be pleased to know.

I did also find a similar dilemma with getting a Chesterfield programme if I remember rightly.

What Other Shops Spring To Mind?

Before I go any further I’m already of the opinion that this will spill into a Part II – no doubt about that. So be warned, more shops no longer with us posts to come.

But before I go, I must mention another favourite shop of mine when I was a babby.

Anyone remember the delicatessen shop in Watergate Street? Wow!! What a shop!!! I can still well remember the overpowering aromas when you first entered. As you turned left into Watergate Street from Bridge Street it was about 50 yards on the left hand side.

For a while my sister worked there on a Saturday. I think the owners name was Mr Vickers? Does anyone know for sure?

My late father used to take me there on a Saturday and my late mother shopped there regularly. Being from Polish stock we used to acquire a lot of Polish food….and sweets!!

Polish favourites like Kabanos sausage and rollmop herrings were always a welcome weekend nibble. I can’t remember all the names of some of the meats we used to get. Loved them all though.

And for the sweets, my Dad used to treat me to some Krowka occasionally. Have you ever tried Krowka? (pronounced Cruffker). You haven’t!!! Give yer head a wobble!! And get yourself on the case pronto!! You must try some.

It was a brilliant shop. And very popular from what I can remember. My sister really enjoyed working there as well.

Talking Of Shops With Aromas

Yes, the aromas from the deli in Watergate Street were mega. As were the aromas from Owen Owen in Bridge Street. Wow, you could just stand in the middle of the street level floor for ages and fill your nostrils with the delightful aromas permeating all around you.

And they sold Kabanos!!! When I was a little ‘un I used to wait for my Mum to get home from town and when she walked in, instead of asking if she had got any sweets for me, I used to ask for Kabanos apparently.

Back in the days when it was hard for me Mam to get me in from playing footie, she missed a trick thinking about it. Instead of repeatedly shouting for me to come in, what she should have done was grab a stick of Kabanos and wave it outside the back door. As it was my Kryptonite and the aroma was awesome, I’d have come running in a flash if any Kabanos whiffs found their way up my nostrils!!

Yes, Owen Owen was a brilliant shop as well. Was it also referred to as Richard Jones? Not 100% sure about that. They sold a wide variety of products other than lovely smelling and tasting food. An all round department store.

And wasn’t it the infamous Philip Green from the British Home Stores nightmare who bought it at one point? And wasn’t he the owner when it was finally closed in 1999?

Anyway, guess what. You’ve got it, I’ve rambled on for too long….again. And that can only mean, shops no longer with us Part II is imminent. That’s if you want to read more about our old shops that is. Anyway, I’m going to write some more anyhow.

Coming Soon – Shops No Longer With Us Part II

Things like where did I enjoy a plate of chips and gravy on a Saturday morning. For some reason the friend I went with had sugar on his chips and gravy!! Each to their own!!

Thanks for reading.

Chester Lifestyle Memory Lane

Another addition to my Memory Lane articles. If you are interested in any of the other trips down Memory Lane I’ve made so far, then have a read HERE.

About Chester

If you are new to Chester and reading some of these Memory Lane posts and wondering what Chester is all about nowadays, then this page HERE may help provide you with a good idea.

And for ideas of places to go in Chester? – have a look HERE.

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