Lewis's Department Store

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Fri 28 Mar, 2008 4:28 pm

Si wrote: Was the 'Croft' cafeteria in Lewis's or Schofields? Can't remember. First floor I THINK Si of Lewiss's - about half way along the store against the rear (Mark Lane) wall - but I really could be wrong.Ahhh - I may be wrong on reflection. The side street behind Schofield's was and still is called King Charles CROFT - do you think that clinches it ??

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Fri 28 Mar, 2008 4:31 pm

[quotenick="fevlad"][quotenick="fevlad"][quotenick="BLAKEY"] fevlad wrote: During the fortnight when they were selling off the fittings to the public I sought out an official and got permission to photograph the beautiful stairways and brass bannisters - regrettably those pictures are at present "locked" into my old computer which won't part with anything, but I will sort it when I have time.i'd love to see those pics Don't worry Fevlad, I will put them on as soon as I can - they are really very nostalgic indeed.

Si · Post by Si » Fri 28 Mar, 2008 4:33 pm

Yep. I think you're right. Good deduction skills!

String o' beads · Post by **String o' beads** » Fri 28 Mar, 2008 9:02 pm

I remember the staircases behind those huge windows facing on to The Headrow. The edges of the steps had black and gold horizontal stripes if I remember correctly. There was a ladies powder room on the second floor, at the back of ladies' clothing. There was a narrow entrance corridor and you turned left into a sort of ante-room where there were mirrors and shelves for you to reapply that all important lippy and perfume. There were also some payphones in there and some chairs where you would usually find some ladies who lunch sitting and chatting. A rare insight into the world of ladies powder rooms there. No. Don't thank me.

Post by **chameleon** » Fri 28 Mar, 2008 9:39 pm

Geordie-exile wrote: I remember the staircases behind those huge windows facing on to The Headrow. The edges of the steps had black and gold horizontal stripes if I remember correctly. There was a ladies powder room on the second floor, at the back of ladies' clothing. There was a narrow entrance corridor and you turned left into a sort of ante-room where there were mirrors and shelves for you to reapply that all important lippy and perfume. There were also some payphones in there and some chairs where you would usually find some ladies who lunch sitting and chatting. A rare insight into the world of ladies powder rooms there. No. Don't thank me. Sounds like a degree of luxury and caring with no expense spared - I remember the Gents' on the first floor behind the menswear - no money left to clean it!

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Fri 11 Apr, 2008 9:37 am

[quotenick="fevlad"][quotenick="fevlad"] BLAKEY wrote: fevlad wrote: despite all the alterations and changes in display styles you could always spot signs of the original lewis' the bronze bannisters, some aspects of the flooring, the rickety escalators, ceiling detail. i'd love to see those pics Have now resued the pictures from my old computer, but could someone please tell me how to post pictures on here - Thanks

fevlad · Post by **fevlad** » Fri 11 Apr, 2008 9:58 am

[quotenick="BLAKEY"][quotenick="fevlad"] fevlad wrote: BLAKEY wrote: fevlad wrote: despite all the alterations and changes in display styles you could always spot signs of the original lewis' the bronze bannisters, some aspects of the flooring, the rickety escalators, ceiling detail. i'd love to see those pics Have now resued the pictures from my old computer, but could someone please tell me how to post pictures on here - Thanks I'm sure the techies, of which I'm not one, will be able to help.

mlh24 · Post by **mlh24** » Sun 13 Apr, 2008 3:30 pm

Hi AllMy maternal grandmother used to work at Lewis' from the 50's to around the late 70's. She worked in various departments, mostly as a stocktaker, I think. After she died and we were cleaning out her house, I found a couple of notebooks which I claimed (I have a stationery fetish!). They're tall, narrow books with (I think) a black and white striped cover, and I'm sure they actually say Lewis' on the front. I think the pages are lined (vertically) so these are probably the books/ledgers that she used for the stocktaking.The other day I was talking to my mum about the girl who'd fallen from an escalator in a Primark store, and we got onto discussing general escalator safety. I was saying how it makes me cringe sometimes to see little kids on them, standing near the edge and touching the glass and moving parts etc. Then my mum said something like "I'll never forget what happened in Lewis' that time, your grandma saw it all and she never forgot it". I asked what it was, and she said a woman had been going up the escalator with a small poodle... She didn't say much else, apart from something about "you can imagine, those little feet". I didn't want to imagine so we left it there and changed the subject, but I'm guessing the poor thing met an unfortunate end on one of the escalators. Just as well they don't allow dogs in shops anymore...

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sun 13 Apr, 2008 3:42 pm

mlh24 wrote: Hi AllMy maternal grandmother used to work at Lewis' from the 50's to around the late 70's. She worked in various departments, mostly as a stocktaker, I think. After she died and we were cleaning out her house, I found a couple of notebooks which I claimed (I have a stationery fetish!). They're tall, narrow books with (I think) a black and white striped cover, and I'm sure they actually say Lewis' on the front. I think the pages are lined (vertically) so these are probably the books/ledgers that she used for the stocktaking.The other day I was talking to my mum about the girl who'd fallen from an escalator in a Primark store, and we got onto discussing general escalator safety. I was saying how it makes me cringe sometimes to see little kids on them, standing near the edge and touching the glass and moving parts etc. Then my mum said something like "I'll never forget what happened in Lewis' that time, your grandma saw it all and she never forgot it". I asked what it was, and she said a woman had been going up the escalator with a small poodle... She didn't say much else, apart from something about "you can imagine, those little feet". I didn't want to imagine so we left it there and changed the subject, but I'm guessing the poor thing met an unfortunate end on one of the escalators. Just as well they don't allow dogs in shops anymore... When I was a kid I used to be fascinated by those escalators, there were so many of them! I may be wrong but I'm sure none of the other department stores in Leeds had such a large number. A visit to Lewis's - whatever department was an experience.

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 13 Apr, 2008 7:12 pm

'When I was a kid I used to be fascinated by those escalators, there were so many of them! I may be wrong but I'm sure none of the other department stores in Leeds had such a large number. A visit to Lewis's - whatever department was an experience. 'Seem to remember they had rather rickety wooden treads too didn't they?