Lewis's

[Ged]

Someone's gotta save that lift attendants job, is he the only one left in the city?

[Howie]

Lewis's owners go into administration
Feb 28 2007
By Bill Gleeson

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/apr2006/7/5/643F0977-CA73-2CDB-4F2886D169D90DCF.jpg

The owner of Lewis’s department store has been placed into administration.

Management of Owen Owen, which owns four stores including Lewis’s, called in receivers this morning.

It is understood the move followed a refusal by the stores bankers to further fund its overdraft facilities.

The group’s latest accounts show it was trading at a £1m loss. The accounts also blame the city’s big dig for a crucial loss of trade.

Story continues (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=lewis%2Ds-owners-go-into-administration%26method=full%26objectid=18688330%2 6siteid=50061-name_page.html#story_continue)...

[Howie]

D!ckie Lewis

http://www.staff.livjm.ac.uk/beshpate/lewis.jpg
Photo: Courtesy of Liverpool Pictorial (http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/)

:D

[Kev]

Gutted over Lewiss :PDT_Xtremez_12:

THE administrators of Lewis’s department store last night made 22 staff redundant. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=jobs-axed-in-attempt-to-save-city-store%26method=full%26objectid=18720991%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html)

[Shapers]

Another victim to the Capital of Culture. Liverpools past connections will soon be erased.

[Kev]

Lets hope it doesn't meet the same fate as Blacklers (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1374&highlight=blacklers) did?! :PDT_Xtremez_42:

[Shapers]

Come 2008, Liverpools small businesses will be very few and the city centre will be unrecognisable. Councillors will have big nice cars and houses and the trendy flats will be full of out of towners. Soon be out of place having a scouse accent.

[Max]

People will understand some scousers more though If they didn't have that alright la type scouse accent though.:PDT10

[Kev]

....will be full of out of towners. Soon be out of place having a scouse accent.

Its like that now, its ike 'spot the scouser' out there, scousers are an endangered species.

[Jericho]

Lewis's has been in a sorry state for many a year. This was inevitable. Sometimes you need to kill something off to let something else take its place.The building itself renains an asset. Personally, I can't see another department store taking it over although this would be what I most like to see.

I can see it being converted to 'luxury' apartments, with retail at street level, probably a gym/spa for residents. Maybe a hotel.

Owen Owen, Blacklers, George Henry Lee ... Lewis's -who would have thought that TJ Hughes would outlast this lot?!

[Jericho]

Its like that now, its ike 'spot the scouser' out there, scousers are an endangered species.


I know you're joking but just pretending that you aren't whose fault would that be? It is after all largely outside investment that is turning the city around. Just imagine if this hadn't happened and we had been left to rely on 'scouse' sources alone. It doesn't bear thinking about. Liverpool the city is 800 years old this year - for most of this time it was not 'scouse'. 'Scouseness' is a cultural phenomenon that is a product of place and time. Nothing stays the same so this will alter, too. 50 years from now 'scouser' might have joined the ranks of 'wacker' and 'Dicky Sam' or it might be stronger still. It will survive because it merits survival or it will disappear because it doesn't.

[Kev]

Owen Owen, Blacklers, George Henry Lee ... Lewis's -who would have thought that TJ Hughes would outlast this lot?!

Exactly!

[Shapers]

Lewis's has been in a sorry state for many a year. This was inevitable. Sometimes you need to kill something off to let something else take its place.The building itself renains an asset. Personally, I can't see another department store taking it over although this would be what I most like to see.

I can see it being converted to 'luxury' apartments, with retail at street level, probably a gym/spa for residents. Maybe a hotel.

Owen Owen, Blacklers, George Henry Lee ... Lewis's -who would have thought that TJ Hughes would outlast this lot?!

Lewis' may have been struggling but the big dig sped things up. The whole point of capital of culture is that its for Liverpool and its people. Yes i do agree we need outsiders to invest. But at the same time must Liverpool lose its identity? All this capital of culture has done so far is make Lewis' and Rapids lose trade, costing local jobs, smaller businesses either closing down or on the brink, so local enterprises are not getting the benefits, and outsiders with a ton of money getting ready for the riches coming there way in 2008. On the scale of things, Liverpool people will be kept at shop floor level making fat cats richer.

[snappel]

To be honest I think this redevelopment would've taken place regardless of the Capital of Culture stuff. It's a shame though that Lewis's is closing - it means that more and more we're going to be funnelled into those hell-holes like Metquarter...

[Libertarian]

I was saddened when I heard the news about Lewis's. Is this a case of the shopping district simply shifting to Paradise Street rather than expanding?

John Lewis is next so in 08 2 very large buildings right in the centre of town will be empty.

Parking is also a major issue in Liverpool. Loads of people just aren't going there because there is nowhere to park and if you do get a spot it's pricey.

Instead of central village behind central station it would make more sense to build a huge multi storey car park on tht site that would certainly have helped Lewis's.

[snappel]

I think that's a rubbish idea. Multi-storey carparks should be put in places like Paradise Street where there are huge new developments. It would be a total waste to have it at Central. That area's too nice to have a carpark built on it.

Besides, what's wrong with parking near Costco and walking in? It's no wonder people are so fat these days. If it was down to be, I'd ban private vehicles from the town centres, but then of course it'd get us back to the tram debate...

[Libertarian]

I think that's a rubbish idea. Multi-storey carparks should be put in places like Paradise Street where there are huge new developments. It would be a total waste to have it at Central. That area's too nice to have a carpark built on it.

Besides, what's wrong with parking near Costco and walking in? It's no wonder people are so fat these days. If it was down to be, I'd ban private vehicles from the town centres, but then of course it'd get us back to the tram debate...

That would lead to banning trade from city centres. It's these anti car theories which are damaaging Liverpool. No wonder store after store is closing.

[wallasey]

Lewis's (Owen Owen Grp) brought out Joplings Group of Sunderland in 2005 or there abouts; these stores are also up for sale too. Which is partially why I cannot understand why the Big Dig is to blame. Roadworks in Liverpool City Center should'nt mean that department stores in Hexham (Robbs) and Sunderland (Joplings) need to close too surely?

Unless they are both a drain on Lewis's turnover?

EDIT: What about Bunnies? That used to be a great department store back in it's days!

[Libertarian]

Lewis's (Owen Owen Grp) brought out Joplings Group of Sunderland in 2005 or there abouts; these stores are also up for sale too. Which is partially why I cannot understand why the Big Dig is to blame. Roadworks in Liverpool City Center should'nt mean that department stores in Hexham (Robbs) and Sunderland (Joplings) need to close too surely?

Unless they are both a drain on Lewis's turnover?

True,

It's got to be said that Lewis's doesn't appeal to the younger generation, sorry the clothes are dowdy and old fashioned. The infrastructure of the building is dated and looks like something from the late John Inman's Are You being served.

[PhilipG]

Lewis's (Owen Owen Grp) brought out Joplings Group of Sunderland in 2005 or there abouts; these stores are also up for sale too. Which is partially why I cannot understand why the Big Dig is to blame. Roadworks in Liverpool City Center should'nt mean that department stores in Hexham (Robbs) and Sunderland (Joplings) need to close too surely?

Unless they are both a drain on Lewis's turnover?

EDIT: What about Bunnies? That used to be a great department store back in it's days!

Good point, Wallasey.
It's probably bad management, or asset stripping.
All the Big Dig and the Paradise Project has achieved was dropping all the bus passengers off at Lewis's, which Lewis's should have taken advantage of.

[steveb]

True,

It's got to be said that Lewis's doesn't appeal to the younger generation, sorry the clothes are dowdy and old fashioned. The infrastructure of the building is dated and looks like something from the late John Inman's Are You being served.

True, it is " Old School ", catering for the older person I think, don't get me
wrong nowt wrong with that, but sadly it dosn't work these days, so of course no money coming in

[Libertarian]

True, it is " Old School ", catering for the older person I think, don't get me
wrong nowt wrong with that, but sadly it dosn't work these days, so of course no money coming in

I agree there is nothing wrong with old school, the old department stores had classical elegance but nowadays there history just can't compete with the likes of the Met quarter.

[wallasey]

True,

It's got to be said that Lewis's doesn't appeal to the younger generation, sorry the clothes are dowdy and old fashioned. The infrastructure of the building is dated and looks like something from the late John Inman's Are You being served.

I found the food hall a let down. What I saw in Lewis's Food Hall is the same to waht I saw in Londis on Longmoor Lane! Say's alot really!



Good point, Wallasey.
It's probably bad management, or asset stripping.
All the Big Dig and the Paradise Project has achieved was dropping all the bus passengers off at Lewis's, which Lewis's should have taken advantage of.


Thats what my parents back in Northumberland have said. Both Expats, they are a little saddened that Lewis's is going and also wondering what's going to happen to the local deparment store which is now up for sale.

[Libertarian]

I think its been on the cards for years. correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they used to have more floors open? The upper floor had been let out to high street outlets and the lower floor was all that was left of Lewis's. The building had started to look like a museum a long time ago with closed stairways etc.

[PhilipG]

I think its been on the cards for years. correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they used to have more floors open? The upper floor had been let out to high street outlets and the lower floor was all that was left of Lewis's. The building had started to look like a museum a long time ago with closed stairways etc.

I can remember 5 floors being open, with the restaurant on the 5th floor (and the toilets!).
And I'm not 105! :eek:

[Shapers]

But other businesses are suffering to. And they all say it started to decline AFTER the big dig started.

[Libertarian]

Wade Smith blamed the big dig.

It is a fact that it has gone on too long. Lime Street has been dug up for ages now and looks exactly the same!

To repeat my original point parking is the major reason why people don't go into Liverpool. Why park at Costco and walk half a mile in all weathers when you can got the Trafford centre and park for free and everything is close?

[Shapers]

Rapids also said they have suffered and had to lay staff off.

[PhilipG]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/413875636_77e08cea56_o.jpg

[wallasey]

Wade Smith blamed the big dig.

It is a fact that it has gone on too long. Lime Street has been dug up for ages now and looks exactly the same!

To repeat my original point parking is the major reason why people don't go into Liverpool. Why park at Costco and walk half a mile in all weathers when you can got the Trafford centre and park for free and everything is close?

Dont forget that Lewis's has an access from the underground too!

[Kev]

M&S to move into John Lewis store (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=m%2Ds-to-move-into-john-lewis-store%26method=full%26objectid=18731738%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html) - TWO of Liverpool’s best known retailers are to embark on a unique deal which will see one take over the other’s premises. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=m%2Ds-to-move-into-john-lewis-store%26method=full%26objectid=18731738%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html)

Mixed fortunes for our large retailers.
(http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=veteran-liverpool-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan%26method=full%26objectid=18731740%26si teid=50061-name_page.html)

[petecarr]

http://www.vanilladays.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/img_6384-edit.jpg

[scouse smurf]

M&S to move into John Lewis store (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=m%2Ds-to-move-into-john-lewis-store%26method=full%26objectid=18731738%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html) - TWO of Liverpool’s best known retailers are to embark on a unique deal which will see one take over the other’s premises. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=m%2Ds-to-move-into-john-lewis-store%26method=full%26objectid=18731738%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html)

Mixed fortunes for our large retailers.
(http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=veteran-liverpool-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan%26method=full%26objectid=18731740%26si teid=50061-name_page.html)

That will stop Quiggins moving in there, won't it

[PhilipG]

That will stop Quiggins moving in there, won't it

I thought that, too, but what's going to happen in 2 years?

BTW, Stoniers has been closed for years.
That side of Williamson Square is getting tattier and tattier.

[bran]

Lewis' may have been struggling but the big dig sped things up. The whole point of capital of culture is that its for Liverpool and its people. Yes i do agree we need outsiders to invest. But at the same time must Liverpool lose its identity? All this capital of culture has done so far is make Lewis' and Rapids lose trade, costing local jobs, smaller businesses either closing down or on the brink, so local enterprises are not getting the benefits, and outsiders with a ton of money getting ready for the riches coming there way in 2008. On the scale of things, Liverpool people will be kept at shop floor level making fat cats richer.
I did my training in Reeces and Lewis's.I have very happy memories of both place's.I was a traine in the catering department,in the late fifties, early sixties. I remember when the ques for the " Red Rose Restaurant" Mersey Room and Cafe Went along the corridor used to go along the Que and ask if any body mined sharing a table.Then seat them.It always reminded me of the picture ques .I always rember ,the people who lost their lives in that terrible fire in "Hedersons"That disaster put in montion,the strict fire drill control we have to this day. All things change. I hope for the better.

[christy]

Lewis's (Owen Owen Grp) brought out Joplings Group of Sunderland in 2005 or there abouts; these stores are also up for sale too. Which is partially why I cannot understand why the Big Dig is to blame. Roadworks in Liverpool City Center should'nt mean that department stores in Hexham (Robbs) and Sunderland (Joplings) need to close too surely?

Unless they are both a drain on Lewis's turnover?

EDIT: What about Bunnies? That used to be a great department store back in it's days!

Exactly what I was going to say! And I don't understand why people keep complaining about parking as any spaces lost have been replaced. Yes, the free spaces at Kings dock have gone but why should people expect to park for free in Liverpool but not in Manchester or Chester? Neither of these cities have free parking and finding a space in either is a lot harder than finding a space in Liverpool, are they sruggling? Footfall is down all over the country with Liverpool actually faring better than most. Shops closing or losing money etc is just bad management or changing trends and would happen Big Dig or not. Wade Smith's for example grew and was extremely succesful through being a niche store attracting a certain buyer which attracted a take over by Arcadia. However, after it was sold to Arcadia the stock became much more commercial and it lost much of its original character losing in turn its traditional market. Once it became more commercial it was competing with high street stores who were selling the same products cheaper. The Smith brothers bought the store back and struggled from day one. Yes it still had its more excliusive side but the reputation was lost and the more commercial arm dragged the whole down. Open opening in Church street also really effected the shop. If David and Robert Wade Smith would have kept to the original concept of the store and not sold to Arcadia, then they probably would have still been trading.

[Shapers]

Lewis's (Owen Owen Grp) brought out Joplings Group of Sunderland in 2005 or there abouts; these stores are also up for sale too. Which is partially why I cannot understand why the Big Dig is to blame. Roadworks in Liverpool City Center should'nt mean that department stores in Hexham (Robbs) and Sunderland (Joplings) need to close too surely?

Unless they are both a drain on Lewis's turnover?

EDIT: What about Bunnies? That used to be a great department store back in it's days!

Exactly what I was going to say! And I don't understand why people keep complaining about parking as any spaces lost have been replaced. Yes, the free spaces at Kings dock have gone but why should people expect to park for free in Liverpool but not in Manchester or Chester? Neither of these cities have free parking and finding a space in either is a lot harder than finding a space in Liverpool, are they sruggling? Footfall is down all over the country with Liverpool actually faring better than most. Shops closing or losing money etc is just bad management or changing trends and would happen Big Dig or not. Wade Smith's for example grew and was extremely succesful through being a niche store attracting a certain buyer which attracted a take over by Arcadia. However, after it was sold to Arcadia the stock became much more commercial and it lost much of its original character losing in turn its traditional market. Once it became more commercial it was competing with high street stores who were selling the same products cheaper. The Smith brothers bought the store back and struggled from day one. Yes it still had its more excliusive side but the reputation was lost and the more commercial arm dragged the whole down. Open opening in Church street also really effected the shop. If David and Robert Wade Smith would have kept to the original concept of the store and not sold to Arcadia, then they probably would have still been trading.

Again missing the point, more than 1, 2 even 3 businesses have suffered through the big dig.

[christy]

How?
I have missed no point.
If you look at retail around the country, Liverpool is faring better than most other places. Why is the big dig to blame here for a fall in trade but the rest of the country has other reasons?
Yes it has been awkward to drive around town but I don't see how that affects businesses like Lewis's. Anyone who thinks it is easier to get a parking space in Cheshire Oaks, The Trafford centre or to drive around Manchester or Chester and then park has obviously never been to any of these places and the price of parking in both of those cities is ridiculous compared to Liverpool.
The fact is that if the big dig did not take place then we would suffer with traffic problems for years to come rather than now. Yes it has been mis managed but this is more down to people like united utilities rather than any iimprovement works by the city. Don't get me wrong, I blame this council for a lot of things that we have lost in the city and for some unbelievable decisions but we can't just blame them for everything.
The businesses that have lost a lot of trade have done so because of the way they are run, having the wrong business model or a lack of foresight. I am extremely sad that Lewis's is in trouble and staff have lost jobs but that is what happens if businesses are not run properly, it is the management who should be blamed. Retail is a hard business and you have to supply what your customer wants or they will go elsewhere. Is it any coincidence that John Lewis has just announced an upturn in profits at it's Liverpool store even though sales are slightly down and that its employees (partners) are about to recieve a bonus of £2000 each?
Can Rapid continue to compete with the new B&Q warehouses while they are where they are in Renshaw street? How do you go and buy some bags of cement or a door or a load of tins of paint? Having single parking bays on a main city centre road is restrictive, big dig or not. Rapid is a great city institution and I hope they also go from strength to strength but I believe if they are to do so it will have to be somewhere else or even after all of the developments are finished, they will struggle. Why did the company not talk with Grovsenor to locate into the ground floor of a multistorey car park or something so they could keep their city centre base but provide conveinient access to customers.
I hope that Lewis's find a buyer who will take it over as a going concern because we really don't want to lose the heritage or jobs but if someone does, there will be big changes and rightly so otherwise we will have the same situation again in 3 years time and what will people blame then?

[skgogosfan]

I think its been on the cards for years. correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they used to have more floors open? The upper floor had been let out to high street outlets and the lower floor was all that was left of Lewis's. The building had started to look like a museum a long time ago with closed stairways etc.

Yes they did-the toy department where I was always taken as a kid was massive and took up half the third floor,(not just the bit of that floor that they use now),and they also used the 4th and 5th floors for stuff,maybe furniture or beds,I dunno. They were closed after the 80s recession I think. I'd love to have a wander round those deserted floors just to be nosey-and the 6th as well-and take a few shots. I bet there are bits untouched for decades. ;)

Dave.

[theninesisters]

I was recently discussing Lewis's with a family member and we have come to the conclusion - and we're convinced - that Lewis's had esclators that went narrower when you went a floor higher. They started off massive on the ground floor but got smaller as you got to the top floors - does anyone else remember this and was it Lewis's or possibly Blacklers?

[Gerard]

Yes they did-the toy department where I was always taken as a kid was massive and took up half the third floor,(not just the bit of that floor that they use now),and they also used the 4th and 5th floors for stuff,maybe furniture or beds,I dunno. They were closed after the 80s recession I think. I'd love to have a wander round those deserted floors just to be nosey-and the 6th as well-and take a few shots. I bet there are bits untouched for decades. ;)

Dave.

I can remember My Dad buying a Radio gram from Lewis's in the late 60's and I'm sure the Record Dapartment was on the 7th floor..
The Record Department was Definately in the area to the Left of this Photo and at the rear of the store..I do Believe the Left hand side of Lewis's in this Picture had Departments on Higher floors..
I could be wrong on this..It was a Long Time ago but I can remember the Escalator leading to this record department and when you got of the escalator there was nothing around only this small Record department..It was Definately high up..
I can Also remember Whole Floors full of Quality Telly's and Hi Fi...Boss Shoe Departments..Great Menswear Department.
And Everything in the Basement was Quality stuff...
The great Cafe on the 5th or 6th Floor ??..
You could go to the Toilet up there and Look out the Window at all the Rear od Bold St.
I'm sorry to Say this but Lewis's has been crap for Years..People will only put up with buying Rubbish for so long...I haven't bought anything from Lewis's for Years....Even used to book me Holidays there..


Sorry about the Quality of the Piccie, It was taken a while back on a Crap Camera..




http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/CIMG2154-1.jpg

[skgogosfan]

I was recently discussing Lewis's with a family member and we have come to the conclusion - and we're convinced - that Lewis's had esclators that went narrower when you went a floor higher. They started off massive on the ground floor but got smaller as you got to the top floors - does anyone else remember this and was it Lewis's or possibly Blacklers?

I ***think*** this may be Owen Owen's,whose escalators had different coloured panelling on each floor too. Lewis's escalators are the same-or at least,have no differences I've noted. IDK that Lewis's used as high as the 7th floor either,thought that would have been management areas. If only we could go back 20-30 years. Oh well.

Dave.

[Jericho]

My happiest memories of Lewis's are childhood ones - going to visit Father Christmas in the grotto, having my photograph taken with a chimpanzee, the smell of the perfume counter... etc.

As an adult I hardly went in it except to get out of the rain.

[PhilipG]

It was the Tudor Cafe and the Toilets on the 5th floor.
As far as I know, that was as high as the public could go in the 1970s.
(But I could be wrong!) :)

[snappel]

Anyone remember whereabouts the hair salon was? Upstairs somewhere...

[Gerard]

Anyone remember whereabouts the hair salon was? Upstairs somewhere...

Scouser Dave will know !!..Lol..
He Had the Feather Cut back then..

[PhilipG]

Anyone remember whereabouts the hair salon was? Upstairs somewhere...

In the 1980s, I think it was in a sort of Mezzanine area off the ground floor (behind the display windows) near the Central Station side.
The Travel Agents was in the Mezzanine as well.

[Ged]

I have it on good authority that the hair place was up top.

[bran]

Anyone remember whereabouts the hair salon was? Upstairs somewhere...The hair salon was on the 5th floor right next to the Red Rose Restaurant.6th floor was admin and staff canteen.Lewis's had the first escalator ,and it wet up to the 5th floor.Right facing the Red Rose Resraurant.O Happy Days

[Ged]

Lewis's Foodhall and China shop 1959 from 'Reflections of the pool'

[Gerard]

The hair salon was on the 5th floor right next to the Red Rose Restaurant.6th floor was admin and staff canteen.Lewis's had the first escalator ,and it wet up to the 5th floor.Right facing the Red Rose Resraurant.O Happy Days

Quite right bran...The Hair Salon was moved though next To the Co-op Travel in Lewis's which was just up the Flight of stairs and to the Right as you went in the Lewis's Entrance on the Corner of Ranelagh St and Fairclough St..The 1st Floor Area outside the Side entrance of Central Station was the Co-op travel Department..So The Hair Salon would have been above you as you went in this Entrance to Lewis's...So Phil is right as well !!

[PhilipG]

Quite right bran...The Hair Salon was moved though next To the Co-op Travel in Lewis's which was just up the Flight of stairs and to the Right as you went in the Lewis's Entrance on the Corner of Ranelagh St and Fairclough St..The 1st Floor Area outside the Side entrance of Central Station was the Co-op travel Department..So The Hair Salon would have been above you as you went in this Entrance to Lewis's...So Phil is right as well !!

I'm not as old as Bran. :)
That's my excuse.

[Libertarian]

There's a good article in tonight's Echo about Lewis's by Joe Riley.

Todays shopper just wants different things from those of the 60's and 70's and ultimately that is why Lewis's has folded not the big dig.

I feel sorry for the staff the way they have been treated in this.

[snappel]

Yes, I wouldn't blame the Big Dig, there'll be more to it than that. Look at Rapid - being located where it is doesn't cause it any problems. In fact, it probably wouldn't fit in Paradise Street!!

Shame though... shops like Lewis's are always nice at Christmas, big department stores that remind you of being a kid. Shopping centres just aren't the same...

[Gerard]

Yes, I wouldn't blame the Big Dig, there'll be more to it than that. Look at Rapid - being located where it is doesn't cause it any problems. In fact, it probably wouldn't fit in Paradise Street!!

Shame though... shops like Lewis's are always nice at Christmas, big department stores that remind you of being a kid. Shopping centres just aren't the same...

Anyone remember the "Dancin' Waters" in TJ's at Crimbo..

[Steven]

I heard that they are planning a new spot in the new Mall along with Marks ' Spencers an' a few others.

[SteveFaragher]

I distinctly remember several events in the 1960's in Lewis's to promote various things, like the James Bond car, a display of unarmed combat by Marine Commandos (come at me with that rubber knife) real life Daleks (one attacked me dad with a sucker) and a grotto which to a 5 year old very realistically transported you to the moon , although I have no idea what santa was doing on the moon.

It was also a very posh shop, we were a TJ's family (we could only afford Provi cheques) only my posh Auntie Bessie was well off enough to go there, it was my first experience of an escalator......thought I was going to get sucked into the mechanism and couldnt work out how to get off the thing....

[SteveFaragher]

There was a rumour that when the Dickie Lewis Statue went up Blacklers were going to put up a statue of a pregnant woman pointing an accusatory finger at Dickie!!

[snappel]

I went to investigate yesterday, but unfortunately the escalators going higher than the top shopping floor are locked off, although they're still used as a staircase for staff getting to the offices above.

[SteveFaragher]

int he early 80's when I was courting my ex we she used to shop in MissSelfridge and the unknown Pete "I'd like to buy Liverpool and use it as an ashtry" Burns used to be in there buyign tart's clothes its good to know some things never change....although he did own his own real face then

[Ged]

Less o' the lip.

[snappel]

although he did own his own real face thenYeah, he must be gutted about losing that. Just look at the state of 'it' now...

[lindylou]

Anyone remember the "Dancin' Waters" in TJ's at Crimbo..

yeah, I remember :D

It's funny how we all remember them. Lots of people still mention them.

As kids we were excited at the prospect of going to see them :)

.. if my memory is correct, you sat on long benches - or something similar, and there was a barrier I think, seperating the audience form the display.

When you think back .. everyone was dead impressed .. and it was just some water fountains with coloured lights ! :) :) We were easily pleased those days !! ha,ha. - imagine taking kids these days to see dancing waters ! They'd probably think it boring now.

They were nice tho' - and in more innocent times. :)

[SteveFaragher]

anyone remember pinky and perky grotto at TJ Hughes in the early 60's or was I on drugs...... the Beakles....

[john]

anyone remember pinky and perky grotto at TJ Hughes in the early 60's or was I on drugs...... the Beakles....

possibly Drugs :)

[lindylou]

anyone remember pinky and perky grotto at TJ Hughes in the early 60's or was I on drugs...... the Beakles....

Think I remember it.

I do remember the Pinky & Perky show on telly. The kids in those days loved it. :)

[chippie]

i remember the pinky and perky grotto in tjs. I got a plastic bugle off santa there,i think it lasted about three days before someone in our house broke it on me to shut me up. i remember pinky and perky on the telly too on a sunday around about tea time. Does anyone remember torchy torchy the battery boy?:hug: :hug:

[lindylou]

yes, I do.

Torchy, Torchy, The battery Boy .. and there was another kids program around the same time called 'Four Feather Falls' :)

[chippie]

I liked four feather falls, was it big chief calimaculia in that? do you remember ollie beak too?:ninja:

[steveb]

I liked four feather falls, was it big chief calimaculia in that? do you remember ollie beak too?:ninja:

Ermmmm, yes was he with Murial Young ?

[SteveFaragher]

muriel used to have fred barker and ollie beake on her show, Five O'clock club.....also Wally Wyton Time for a Laugh...cartoon showreels with rocky and bullwinkle....... fred barker was voiced by the bloke who does the immortal basil brush.

Just bought the entire four feather falls on ebay.

Also got all the original 3 stooges (with the orginal curly) shorts, anarchic surreal brilliant. Also got all the casey jones, all george formbys films and finally (and these dvds do stand the test of time) the whole of the robinson crusoe serial.......de da de da de da da.......

Anyone remmeber SPACE PATROL......brilliant sci fi puppets, with weird electronic music, Karaftwerk eat your kraut hearts out.

[lindylou]

I loved Ollie Beak and Fred Barker. :)
www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/smalltime/smalltime.htm - 10k (scroll down to see a pic of them)

Also I remember Space Patrol well - it was great. :)

[Gerard]

muriel used to have fred barker and ollie beake on her show, Five O'clock club.....also Wally Wyton Time for a Laugh...cartoon showreels with rocky and bullwinkle....... fred barker was voiced by the bloke who does the immortal basil brush.

Just bought the entire four feather falls on ebay.

Also got all the original 3 stooges (with the orginal curly) shorts, anarchic surreal brilliant. Also got all the casey jones, all george formbys films and finally (and these dvds do stand the test of time) the whole of the robinson crusoe serial.......de da de da de da da.......

Anyone remmeber SPACE PATROL......brilliant sci fi puppets, with weird electronic music, Karaftwerk eat your kraut hearts out.


Steve,This fella has some great old Telly series .

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZjonnyboy1172QQhtZ-1

[snappel]

When is Lewis's actually closing?

[snoochie boochie]

Its like that now, its ike 'spot the scouser' out there, scousers are an endangered species.

Speak for ya, self!

[skgogosfan]

When is Lewis's actually closing?

Several of the stories mention a timescale of 12 weeks from entering administration,which would be the start of June,but that's a worst case scenario since they've had about 50 interested bidders according to the last piece on the echo website. Time will tell...

Dave.

[SteH]

Several of the stories mention a timescale of 12 weeks from entering administration,which would be the start of June,but that's a worst case scenario since they've had about 50 interested bidders according to the last piece on the echo website. Time will tell...

Dave.

It now seems to be down to 2 interested buyers and the store will continue trading while negotiations go on

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=two-still-fighting-it-out-to-buy-lewis%2D%2D8217%2Ds%26method=full%26objectid=18962 022%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

[lindylou]

photo memories of Lewis's

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/image_galleries/lewis_fifth_floor_gallery.shtml?5

[Ged]

Thanks Lindy, also for reminding me in a thunderous flashback that I seem to remember us having wallpaper like that in pic No.8

[PhilipG]

Very interesting pictures, Linda.
I didn't come to Liverpool till 1968, but there's a chance that my Mum took me to Lewis's in the 1950s, but I seem to remember that the restaurant was in an old-fashioned Tudor style.
Can anybody else confirm that?

[Kev]

1925 Miss Murphy of Lewis's Department Store: Image - Liverpool City Library and the Records Office.

[PhilipG]

Kinky boots there, Kev.
Where's her whip?

[skgogosfan]

I wonder what her hat says-can't make it out. Nice boots too. Reading that BBC article made me wonder what the 6th floor is like too-and what are all those lights for on this contraption? Reminds me of the film "War Games"...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/images/2007/07/03/lewis_008_470x336.jpg

Dave.

[Kev]

IT IS the Christmas that staff at Liverpool’s iconic Lewis’s department store thought they would never see. But after months of uncertainty, the retail giant, says business is booming – with Christmas trade already exceeding that of last year by nearly three times. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/11/23/business-is-booming-at-lewis-s-64375-20148871/)

[PhilipG]

Hand-held shot.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/2197535169_247ee92ca9_o.jpg

[julieoapw]

Nice, er, shot Phil!


Hand-held shot.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/2197535169_247ee92ca9_o.jpg

[gorgeous]

With which hand did you hold it Phil . :handclap: well done
Love Karen x

[naked lilac]

:PDT_Aliboronz_24: :handclap: That was funny Karen.. Which hand? :PDT11

[Ged]

I always thought the left nad hung lower <scratches head>

[Ged]

Including a hotel and cinema.


http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=lewis-s-163-105m-hotel-and-cinema-plan%26method=full%26objectid=20506126%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html



.

[Kev]

PLANS to transform Liverpool’s landmark Lewis’s building could mean the loss of some of its hidden gems.

The new owners of the iconic grade II-listed building want to spend £105m turning it into a “leisure destination”, with new shops, homes, cafes, restaurants, bars and a hotel.

They want to build a giant glass atrium at the back of the seven-storey building, resulting in the loss of the Mersey Room and Red Rose restaurants and a hair and beauty salon, which are currently mothballed.

But many artistic and historic special features will be removed, refurbished and incorporated into other parts of the development.

Talks are ongoing between the owners and bosses from the department store, which trades on the bottom two floors, aimed at keeping the business going.

The plans are set to get the go-ahead when considered by Liverpool council next week.

The proposals, from developers Merepark and Capital And Counties, include:

Building an atrium-style space at the back of the premises and creating an elevated public plaza, bridging over to the neighbouring Central Village scheme.

A new open pedestrian street, leading onto the new plaza and connecting into Central Village and the Ropewalks district beyond.

A music venue in the basement.

Cleaning the building’s iconic frontage and the Liverpool Resurgent statue, much loved by generations of shoppers.

Retaining and refurbishing rare 1950s tiling in the former self-service restaurant on the fifth floor.

Relocating timber panelling from the Rose Room and plaster frieze from the salon.

Plans for a multi-screen cinema on the upper floors have been shelved after concerns were raised by council planners

The building’s main frontage will remain largely unchanged.

The project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs.

Bob Ross, director of Merepark, said: “Since the acquisition of the building at the end of last year, we have been committed to its constructive conservation and delivering a scheme which acknowledges the past and looks to the future.

“Where possible, we have retained as many key historic features as possible, such as the mosaic, which will remain in situ and be incorporated into the building’s use.

“This has been a conservation-led project and, although part of the fifth floor will be redeveloped, the most historically important area is to be upgraded and made accessible to the public for the first time in 20 years.”

marymurtagh@liverpoolecho.co.uk

[PhilipG]

So there's a Red Rose Restaurant.

I've asked this question before, but I'll try again now.
I pretty sure I remember my Mum taking me to a Tudor-style restaurant in the 1950s.
Does anybody know about the Red Rose Restaurant?
(Wasn't the red rose the symbol of the Tudors?)

.

[brian daley]

Phillip ,
The Red Rose was the symbol of the Lancastrians and the White Rose was the symbol of the Yorkists. The Tudor Rose was a mixture of the two......
Guess which side the Norris family fought on during the Wars of the Roses?
The Earl of Stanley ,he Lodged in a Manor House not far from where I live now,did'nt decide which faction to back until the time of the final battle at Bosworth. Crafty buggers even then ,those Scousers!
Got nothing to do with Lewis's though!

[taffy]

So there's a Red Rose Restaurant.

I've asked this question before, but I'll try again now.
I pretty sure I remember my Mum taking me to a Tudor-style restaurant in the 1950s.
Does anybody know about the Red Rose Restaurant?
(Wasn't the red rose the symbol of the Tudors?)

.

Phil,

The Red Rose Restaurant on the 5th floor at Lewis's was their posh "silver service" restaurant. When they had a 5th floor open day last year, Lewis's tried to recreate at least some of the atmosphere of the Red Rose Restaurant's hey day

[PhilipG]

Phil,

The Red Rose Restaurant on the 5th floor at Lewis's was their posh "silver service" restaurant. When they had a 5th floor open day last year, Lewis's tried to recreate at least some of the atmosphere of the Red Rose Restaurant's hey day

Thanks Taffy.

I don't think Mum would have been able to afford to take me to that, but my Great Aunt Jessica would!
I remember wood panelling.

[drone_pilot]

Plans to develop Liverpool's iconic Lewis's building have been given the
go-ahead by councillors.

New owners Merepark are to carry out a £105m upgrade of the Grade II listed
department store, turning it into a boutique hotel and retail development.

The original features will remain, including the frontage and Liverpool
Resurgent statue by Sir Jacob Epstein.

Developers have said the project will create between 500 and 1,000 new jobs
for the city.

Plans for the interior of the nine-storey building include a new open
pedestrian street which leads out onto a new public plaza.

BBC News Read More (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7543871.stm)

[Howie]

City go-ahead for £105m new look at iconic Lewis’s building
Aug 6 2008
by Ben Turner, Liverpool Echo

THE future of Liverpool’s landmark Lewis’s building was today safe after an ambitious restoration plan was approved.

Liverpool council’s planning committee backed the £105m plan for the iconic Grade II-listed building yesterday.

It will now be turned into a “leisure destination”, with new shops, homes, cafes, restaurants, bars, a giant glass atrium and a hotel.

It is hoped the traditional department store will also stay.

Councillors approved the plan after hearing Lewis’s historic features would be incorporated into other parts of the development.

The store’s frontage, Liverpool Resurgent statue, existing staircase, 1950s tiled mural in the fifth-floor former self-service restaurant, and wood panelling on the upper floor will all be kept.

The project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs.

Planning officer John Benbow said: “It is vital this part of the city remains vibrant.”

Ian Jones, director of developer Merepark, said: “From the start, this has very much been a conservation-led project.

“We have worked closely with English Heritage and the council’s conservation officer to preserve the unique character of Lewis’s.”

Source: Liverpool Echo (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/08/06/city-go-ahead-for-105m-new-look-at-iconic-lewis-s-building-100252-21473342/)

[John(Zappa)]

Now that is good news.
The city centre has lost all character and something like that may help bring it back.
Thankfully it won't be another glass/metal structure that's so popular nowadays.:PDT_Piratz_26:

[Kev]

A FIVE-star hotel and leisure complex creating up to 1,000 jobs will be set up next to Liverpool?s iconic Lewis?s department store. Read (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/10/15/new-hotel-near-lewis-s-could-create-1-000-jobs-100252-22036480/)

[Klaatu]

Sounds good!

[5th beatle]

Its like that now, its ike 'spot the scouser' out there, scousers are an endangered species.

Especially when LFC are playing at home :unibrow: