Spencer, Turner and Boldero Drapers

I was aged 15 in 1957 and my first job was at Spencer Turners as a van boy. We delivered clothes and sundries all over london no traffic -great times.

I worked at Spencer, Turner & Boldero's from 1941 to 1947 in the child's wear department. I worked with Joyce Davis (nee Weatherhead) who had two children called Lyn and Tim. It was bombed in the war and I was watching from the flats opposite (Hubert House - Marylebone Housing Assoc); the fire was very fierce and the big red ledgers were blown through the windows of our flat.

I worked at Spencers from when I left school in the 60s until they closed down. I remember it being a happy place with many local people working there and some people living in company accommodation. I remember there still being gas lights in some parts of the building - though they were trying to modernise. The building had many odd corners and rooms, where some of the buyers would keep secret stocks of drinks for their mason friends. I remember 'Tiny' who used to look after 'goods inwards' - there were many characters there. I worked in Fancy Linens most of the time selling things one never sees now.

I read with interest information regarding this business because I believe the Turner part of the firm to be my ancestors. My grandfather Charles Stanley Turner was left some money in trust now long gone. Anybody with any knowledge of the Turners please email. Thanks Philip

In the 1960s, my father was a self-employed 'Tally Man'. This was the term for someone who dragged all manner of products around the countryside, selling to people in their own homes, and then collecting the money at the rate of one shilling in the pound each week. As far as I recall his main (only?) supplier was STB, the goods arriving via rail to Bedford Station and delivered out to the village by one of those cute British Railways 3-wheel 'tractors' towing a trailer laden with parcels. The Rep for STB was a tall man called Mr Ronald Noakes, who I seem to recall lived in Northampton. I still have a bent wood chair that I think my dad snatched back from a customer who couldn't pay the bill! Selling by this method was very time consuming, and frequently went on very late into the evenings but I guess my old man thought he could talk people into buying. And lots of tea was drunk All a world away! Ian McIver

In the 1960s, my father was a self-employed 'Tally Man'. This was the term for someone who dragged all manner of products around the countryside, selling to people in their own homes, and then collecting the money at the rate of one shilling in the pound each week. As far as I recall his main (only?) supplier was STB, the goods arriving via rail to Bedford Station and delivered out to the village by one of those cute British Railways 3-wheel 'tractors' towing a trailer laden with parcels. The Rep for STB was a tall man called Mr Ronald Noakes, who I seem to recall lived in Northampton. I still have a bent wood chair that I think my dad snatched back from a customer who couldn't pay the bill! Selling by this method was very time consuming, and frequently went on very late into the evenings but I guess my old man thought he could talk people into buying. And lots of tea was drunk, all a world away! Ian McIver

I worked at Spencer, Turner & Boldero's for 22 years. Mr. Noakes was such a lovely person as were the majority of the people who worked there, for STB's was a real family company. Such a pity Mr. Tom (as he was known) had to retire when he did.

My sister in law worked there. Her name name was Doreen Patching and she married Len Bunn who I think also worked there. my mum Jessie Watkins also worked there with a friend of ours Cora Barker.

Doreen & I didn't work in the same department, but I knew & liked her very well. Always ready for a laugh & very helpful to anyone who needed it. We once & only once had a Firm's Outing, Guess who kept us all entertained? Lovely person.

Spencer, Turner & Boldero had a massive packing department. I remember Doreen well, I believe she was in charge of the E to J section of the packing department. The packers, mainly ladies, were a good hardworking crowd. Doreen was always a very jolly person and got on well with everyone. The majority of the workers were either local or from nearby Paddington. The company had old fashioned values, that the majority of the workers appreciated. Is there anyone around who remembers Paddy's Café in Lisson Grove? That's where we all went for our teabreak. What would Paddy and his love wife Gladys done without the workers from Spencer, Turner and Boldero and of course the local dustmen?

Oh this brings back memories. My grandfather was W.T.Cook a credit draper whose shop was 1 Harcourt Street Marylebone. We all visited Spencer, Turner and Boldero's on Lisson Grove. Mum and Dad went into the business when we were children independently from my grandfather. Just yesterday guests staying in our B and B mentioned Lisson Grove and I knew that name was familiar. Mum, now 96 years just couldn't place where she knew the name from, but I was so sure this is where I would go with them to the warehouse in the 50s. Ann.

When i was a child my Dad had a shop in the Harrow Road in the 1950s and he used to take me to Spencer's to buy wholesale. I loved the place with its dark corners and odd little departments. The people who worked there were always friendly to me and every year while we were there he would buy me pretty Land o' Nod pyjamas.

My Father Reginald (Reg) Jarratt worked at Spencer’s for fifty years up to the early 1970s. He was in the Fancy goods department. Anyone remember him?

Anyone remember my grandad Frank (Francis) Jones who must of worked there late 1950s/early 1960s?