Howells department store, Cardiff

[excoriator]

As a boy I frequently visited this store with my mother, and loved it. There was a creaky floorboard under the carpet at one spot, which made a fine groan if you trod on it. The lifts were pure joy, and it had an escalator and a splendid toy department.

So much so that I hatched a cunning plan to take advantage of it. Slipping away from my parents in the furniture department I found a wardrobe and hid in it. The plan was to wait until the store had closed, creep out and play with the toys, after which I would retire to the bedding department and sleep in one of their display beds. The plan ended then, I'd probably thought that was enough planning for the time being.

Alas, mayhem broke out at my disappearance. My mother was hysterical, and the whole store set about looking for me. I was discovered by a kindly shop assistant called Mrs Jenkins, reunited with my mortified parents and my plan revealed. Mrs Jenkins gave me a sweet and we visited her for some time on subsequent visits and became friends. Even as a teenager, I would pop in and say hello to her. She seemed pleased to see me.

The store was taken over by House of Fraser and I thought it had closed, but when I looked today on a whim I was pleased to find it still open after a rescue plan had saved it. I am so pleased too. If I ever visit it again I bet I could find that creaking floorboard. Mrs Jenkins will not be there any more alas, but I am more pleased than I can say to have found it still going.

[aubrey]

"28 I was."

I like local department stores, those with stock that could have been there for a decade.

Monday afternoon is maybe the best time to visit; there's a melancholia about them at that time that I find especially appealing.

I don't think I've ever bought anything from them though.

[excoriator]

Liverpool had a massive department store called Lewis's. It was never up to much in my opinion, and I think this must have been a general view. "Stood about like one of Lewis's" was and still is a frequent description for anyone idling instead of working.

On one occasion I asked an assistant for the power rating of a kettle that had taken my fancy. His response was a classic:

"I 'aven't a clue, chief!"

- and he wandered off!

It has long since gone bust.

Another one called Blacker's sold mysterious items called 'values'. Thus ads were deployed advertising "Christmas values" and statements like "Blackler's has a store full of values for all your winter needs!"

Sadly, I lacked the courage to ask them for one of these 'values' so I can tell you little about them.