Dear Lorraine
First I must thank you for your understanding and comforting web site which has provided a solace to me during the past year.
Next I will try to answer, so far as I can, the question posed in your reply to 'Adrian' re. Thorntons in 'Macmail for March':-
Thornton's largest Department Store and Head Office was in Briggate, Leeds, about more to follow, and, yes, their Belfast store was still a worthy alternative when I last 'shopped' there in September 1969, during the first month of 'The Troubles' and again, yes, they had a similarly prestigious Department Store adjacent to Frasers in Princes St., Edinburgh up to the mid-1970's but bearing absolutely no resemblance to your 1909 photograph.
They also had a smaller store in Bradford which closed in the early 1970's, probably the first to do so, and unfortunately all have now gone, together with their claim to be "Thorntons - The Home of Rubber" - but see later about Louis Vouitton's, now also of 98/99, Briggate, Leeds. Their "Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Fashion Show" and their "cutting-edge rain boots in glossy high shine rubber" with "concealed inner platform for enhanced comfort and superb 11cm /4.4 inch heel", as written up in the Sunday Telegraph "Stella" magazine on 23October 2011 compares favorably with Thorntons.
The main difference so far as I was concerned between Thornton's Leeds and Belfast stores was that the toy department in the Leeds store was in the basement - so a visit offered no view of the rainwear department - but what a Christmas display it was, it often being necessary to queue to get within viewing distance of the Hornby, Trix, Marklin and Basset-Lowke train displays and Meccano models - as I found out in 1935 when my Hornby '0' gauge (old hat) was replaced by Trix '00' gauge rolling stock and Bassett-Lowke track for longer lengths, less power drop over joints and better 'points' than others.
Hugh
Hugh goes on to tell under the Depositions banner the intriguing story of one aspect of his life with his late wife May.
Hugh
Wow! Exactly the kind of information I love! First hand, lots of it, rich with dates and details! Thank you so much.
And I'm very touched to read that what others have written here on the site stood by you a bit over a difficult time.
Thank you.
Lorraine
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