mike-s Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 Merry Christmas all. This time of year always reminds me of the old department stores, I worked at Walsh's in the seventies and Christmas was always a great time. The stores were bustling with shoppers, the staff dressed up, mince pies on the departments. Although there was competition between the stores it was always a friendly rivalry, It's a knockout competition at the city hall between ourselves, Coles, Cockaynes and Roberts, (which we won!) and after work pile into the Mulberry tavern or across to the Claymore or perhaps Brown Bear. Sadly the internet has spelled the end for most stores, and the friendships which were made in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartshome Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Hi mike, yes I agree with you!! I worked at Atkinson's, late 60s early 70s. One Christmas I was cashier on the Grotto, it was fab!! Think the theme was WINTER WOODLAND, it had animated Animals, beautiful woodland background in snow, and a running water fall. 'FATHER CHRISTMAS' not Santa, was in his grotto sat in a big gold chair, it was wonderful!! The staff Christmas Party was always of 'good humour', and at one of them they had a talent contest which I won, singing 'Thoroughly Modern Milly' much to my amazement!! I met my life-long BEST FRIEND there, and my HUDBAND. Everyone seemed to look out for each other and help out if they could. Our boss Mr PETER was brilliant! We respected him very much, and he treated us well, even helped with serving us at the Party, and we all got a gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Hardie Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 29 minutes ago, Heartshome said: Hi mike, yes I agree with you!! I worked at Atkinson's, late 60s early 70s. One Christmas I was cashier on the Grotto, it was fab!! Think the theme was WINTER WOODLAND, it had animated Animals, beautiful woodland background in snow, and a running water fall. 'FATHER CHRISTMAS' not Santa, was in his grotto sat in a big gold chair, it was wonderful!! The staff Christmas Party was always of 'good humour', and at one of them they had a talent contest which I won, singing 'Thoroughly Modern Milly' much to my amazement!! I met my life-long BEST FRIEND there, and my HUDBAND. Everyone seemed to look out for each other and help out if they could. Our boss Mr PETER was brilliant! We respected him very much, and he treated us well, even helped with serving us at the Party, and we all got a gift. Did your hudband look like Paul Newman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike-s Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 3 hours ago, Heartshome said: Hi mike, yes I agree with you!! I worked at Atkinson's, late 60s early 70s. One Christmas I was cashier on the Grotto, it was fab!! Think the theme was WINTER WOODLAND, it had animated Animals, beautiful woodland background in snow, and a running water fall. 'FATHER CHRISTMAS' not Santa, was in his grotto sat in a big gold chair, it was wonderful!! The staff Christmas Party was always of 'good humour', and at one of them they had a talent contest which I won, singing 'Thoroughly Modern Milly' much to my amazement!! I met my life-long BEST FRIEND there, and my HUDBAND. Everyone seemed to look out for each other and help out if they could. Our boss Mr PETER was brilliant! We respected him very much, and he treated us well, even helped with serving us at the Party, and we all got a gift. Oh yes, the Christmas parties, er 'good humour'.......more like 'wink wink', especially on the back staircase 🤣🤣. They were wonderful days, Walsh's was probably the most 'Grace bros' of them all, strict but fair. I worked on the TV dept, can't believe the amount of money we used to take looking back. TV's are the same price now as they were then, so the majority were on the 'never never'. There was a period when we were selling over thirty a day, big money in those days. The shop really used to go to town at Christmas, I loved it. I left Sheffield years ago, believe most of the stores are sadly gone now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartshome Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 5 hours ago, Jim Hardie said: Did your hudband look like Paul Newman? Hi Jim. No! he was 6ft 1 tall, shoulder length dark brown wavy hair, slim and handsome. Worked on DIY dept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Hardie Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 40 minutes ago, Heartshome said: Hi Jim. No! he was 6ft 1 tall, shoulder length dark brown wavy hair, slim and handsome. Worked on DIY dept. You didn’t do so bad then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartshome Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 54 minutes ago, Jim Hardie said: You didn’t do so bad then. No, indeed I didn't! My best friend that I met there, 'STILL IS'! and my husband and I have just celebrated our 44th Wedding Anniversary, thanks to Atkinson's 💖 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beezerboy Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 On 26/12/2021 at 10:24, Heartshome said: Hi mike, yes I agree with you!! I worked at Atkinson's, late 60s early 70s. One Christmas I was cashier on the Grotto, it was fab!! Think the theme was WINTER WOODLAND, it had animated Animals, beautiful woodland background in snow, and a running water fall. 'FATHER CHRISTMAS' not Santa, was in his grotto sat in a big gold chair, it was wonderful!! My wife Eileen started here after leaving school in August 1960, she remembers Mr Peters and she also worked in the Grotto and met a girl called Paula. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Petre Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, beezerboy said: My wife Eileen started here after leaving school in August 1960, she remembers Mr Peters and she also worked in the Grotto and met a girl called Paula. 'and met a girl called Paula'. was there some dark, sinister or even happy end to that ? Edited December 27, 2021 by St Petre add Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beezerboy Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 (edited) 17 hours ago, St Petre said: 'and met a girl called Paula'. was there some dark, sinister or even happy end to that ? No, she couldn't recall her surname , sort of hoped she might see this site and remember her. Besides, not long after she started there she got me and still has. Edited December 28, 2021 by beezerboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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