Lewis's Department Store

Terrym · Post by **Terrym** » Sat 19 Jan, 2008 5:15 pm

Hi all,Thought I would post here a few memories I have of working in one of the best stores in Leeds.In the late 60s and very early 70s I was looking for work, and my local job centre passed me on to Lewis's.At that time the staff office was at the very top of the building. So off I went in search of it.After finding it and having my interview I was instructed to go to the first floor for my interview with the departmental manager.I was hoping to get a job in the newly created "Buttonhole" section of the menswear department on the first floor.However this was not to be, and following my interview with the departmental manager who was called John Friend I was given the job of junior assistant on the boyswear department.For those of you who have never worked in a large store can I just say that it was exactly like Are You Been Served.We had a lady part time assistant who could have been Mrs Slocombe, a floor manager who was like Rumbold, in fact the list is endless.I can honestly say that the couple of years I worked there were some of my happiest working days to date.The store itself was a totally amazing place, underneath the basement was a sub basement, this is where a lot of the stock was held after delivery, it also contained the staff cloakrooms.Over the 3rd floor were two more floors, these contained the offices , staff canteen, and display department.I did visit the store when Alders were running it and although some changes had been made it still brought back some really good memories.

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sat 19 Jan, 2008 7:58 pm

I find all this stuff about Lewis's fascinating. When I was a kid I used to love the place. Used to go to LGI once a month for eye exams - which involved sitting for ages in a dark room before being examined. The bribe to get me to be "good" was a trip to Lewis's cafe!The first time I saw Coca Cola in this country was in Lewis's cafe - they had a machine - it was red and a coke cost 2/- (10p) an absolute fortune when a bottle of ordinary lemonade cost 6d (2.5p) You put the money in via a slide (like pool tables) I longed for one, but never got one!We used to go and see santa at Lewis's, and when I got older I used to frequent the delicatessen department for its erm delicacies. The first popadums I ever saw were in Lewis's.A brilliant place and I can believe that behind the scenes was just like "Are you being served" IMO there was no other department store in Leeds like Lewis's.

stevief · Post by **stevief** » Sat 19 Jan, 2008 8:05 pm

Am I correct in saying the 'Lewis' department store in Leeds was a different company from 'John Lewis' stores which is seen in many other towns and cities?

Barwicker · Post by **Barwicker** » Sat 19 Jan, 2008 8:37 pm

Stevief,In a word "Yes"

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sat 19 Jan, 2008 8:58 pm

Barwicker wrote: Stevief,In a word "Yes" There were also branches in Liverpool and Manchester.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Sat 19 Jan, 2008 10:28 pm

There's some useful info on Wikipedia - search under 'Lewis's' [sorry can't get the link to work !]Lewis's the Liverpool store continues to trade as' Lewis's' to the present day.Like most Leeds people I have many memories of Lewis's - and even worked there on occasion when it belonged to Allders , although I was not based there.The father Christmas grotto, the food hall, clothes dept, hairdressers, toys dept etc, etc. - so many memories.I never believed that those 2 Leeds institutions, Schofield's and Lewis's would both one day be gone.I really shouldnt have good memories of Lewis's though - in the mid 50's(before I was born) my paternal grandfather had a heart- attack in the food hall and died before the ambulance arrived...

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 19 Jan, 2008 11:20 pm

drapesy wrote: There's some useful info on Wikipedia - search under 'Lewis's' [sorry can't get the link to work !]Lewis's the Liverpool store continues to trade as' Lewis's' to the present day.Like most Leeds people I have many memories of Lewis's - and even worked there on occasion when it belonged to Allders , although I was not based there.The father Christmas grotto, the food hall, clothes dept, hairdressers, toys dept etc, etc. - so many memories.I never believed that those 2 Leeds institutions, Schofield's and Lewis's would both one day be gone.I really shouldnt have good memories of Lewis's though - in the mid 50's(before I was born) my paternal grandfather had a heart- attack in the food hall and died before the ambulance arrived... Do I remeber the food hall being in the basement - or was it just down the stairs on the ground floor at the Headrow House end?The picture I have is of assistants in sparkling white coats serving from a multitude of island counters.... is this how it was?

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Sun 20 Jan, 2008 12:13 am

From memory the food department did not last until the stores demise (as Lewis's). However my memory is that it was downstairs from the Briggate end and very much downstairs (basement) at the top end. I seem to remember it being Electrical, furniture and homeware/furnishings at closure.My memories being from the late 60's, when the toy department and Santa's grotto were my interest, onwartds.

Post by **cnosni** » Sun 20 Jan, 2008 12:29 am

tyke bhoy wrote: From memory the food department did not last until the stores demise (as Lewis's). However my memory is that it was downstairs from the Briggate end and very much downstairs (basement) at the top end. I seem to remember it being Electrical, furniture and homeware/furnishings at closure.My memories being from the late 60's, when the toy department and Santa's grotto were my interest, onwartds. I dont remember the food side of things,only the toy side of things.I have mentioned this before, on another thread,but the Santa at Lewis's was THE real santa.All the others up and down the country,so i was told ,were his helpers.My other half(who is a scouser) and her brother were naturally shocked when i informed them of this fact on a walk round Leeds last year.They,for some strange reason,said this was wrong and that the real santa always came to Liverpool.I remember as a little un (must be 1970 to 73)queueing up every christmas on the stairs that led to the floor above the grotto to get to see the main man.we waited ages to get in,and then it was the progression through the grotto to meet Santa that was magic.I remember,as a very young un,that i asked santa for some "Crusader Knights",the history bug had me even though i was under 5 st the time.Chuff me,but i got em on Christmas day.How about that!!!!and what about the window displays at christmas,especially the one for the lads,you know the Action Man window,ace,absolutey chuffing ace.

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 20 Jan, 2008 1:33 am

Yes, Phill put a picture up on the other thread of one of his visits to Santa. Still can't find the one of me taken one year sitting on Muffin the Mule (!!!).I reckon these ghostly goings on being talked about are the Old Man still ther chasing round looking for Muffin you know.