Some of Southall's Old Faithfuls
Perhaps now may be the time to place on record some of the good old tradesmen and
shops which from now onwards will gradually disappear. They will be in no sort of
order but each will bring back its own memories. Cutlands, Ladies Milliners and Drapers
- they had three shops in the King Street, always selling good quality materials
which seemed to be priced at the odd three farthings. The assistants were always
helpful and, when a purchase was made, the bill and money was placed in a round box
which was attached to a rail, the assistant then pulled a cord and this sent the
box on its way to the Cashier, who would return it the same way with the change and
receipted bill. Mr Cutland and family took a great interest in town affairs. Platts
Stores, again with three shops in the King Street - the good old-fashioned grocers.
Everything served over the counter by assistants in white coats and aprons, weighing
up most things and patting up the butter and displaying whole cheeses and sides of
bacon and, outside, large boxes of eggs. Their premises today are occupied by 'Fine
Fare' - grocers, yes, but what a different atmosphere! London Co-operative Society
Limited -with four shops in King Street and one in Featherstone
Road. They first
opened at the corner of King Street and Featherstone Road with a grocers, shoe shop
and butchers, over which was a small meeting hall. After Endicotts was burned down
they had shops built at the Western Road corner. They also had a shop in the High
Street for a few years. And, of course, if you became a member, you were always reckoning
up how much `Divi' you had to come.
Butlers, Men's Outfitters - with shops in King Street and High Street. Selling nothing
but the best - what service they gave! Mr Scott, Manager, became a County Councillor
and Mr Rogers, his right hand man, will be well remembered. Palamountings - the Odds
and Ends Shop, always in a muddle but it was odds-on that what you wanted would be
found. Cogswells - corn merchants, three steps to get in. Again, most things were
weighed from bulk and, if you wanted hay or straw, you were sent out to the warehouse
at the rear. Father and sons took a great interest in town affairs. You could always
find, by smell, Bromleys and Mullingers Fried Fish Shops. Bromleys in Adelaide Road
and Mullingers in Featherstone Road. Both family businesses with always a good supply
of fresh fish.
A haircut meant a visit to Mac Smart, Norwood Road, Cass, and Westons, Featherstone
Road, H. Tompkins, High Street; Ted Earthy and Chapmans, Uxbridge Road - whilst waiting
for a haircut or shave you got all the local news, also the form of horses worth
backing and, in most cases, could leave your bets to be picked up. One could go on
- butchers Moss and Hutching who were Councillors; Willis and Raymonds Dining Rooms
where you could get a good meal for 1/- (5p); away from the main roads were dozens
of corner shops. What a service they gave - and it will never be known how much credit,
termed 'putting it on the slate' was given during hard times. Most now have had to
close, unable to compete with the supermarkets. Even Sharps, the Undertakers, were
well known for the very sympathetic service they gave, also finding time to interest
themselves in Southall Football Club. Quinions Saddlers and Leather-merchants in
the High Street, a very old family business. Cyril Quinion was for a time a Councilor,
also Freeman City of London. Frank Avery - bakers, High Street was one of several
brothers well known in the town.
The two brothers Jiggins Butchers, in the High Street, with the slaughter house just
on the right of Avenue Road behind the shop. Chaplin's Oilshop, and 'Penny's Stores'
(Ebdens) Off Licence, now waiting to be pulled down to extend Police Station.
A very old business still going in 1982 - Bradbury's, Jewellers, High Street. My,
how many wedding rings were bought there. Lastly, one must not forget the Pawnbrokers,
Harris, at the top of Abbotts Road and in the King Street. To some of the older residents
these formed a vital service on a Monday morning.
