At the bottom of Thorn Street on one side was the local Co-op store which was run by Kenneth and Edgar and at the other Taylor's chippy. At the bottom of Woodcroft Street was Mr. Wilkinson's - an "Arkwright Open-All-Hours" type of shop.
The Co-op was a bright and large store, all manner of goods could be purchased there. I remember our "Divi" number being 4701. Mum's weekly shopping list never altered and went:- butter, sugar, tea, lard, marg, jam, cheese, eggs, potatoes.
I must have heard this ritual every time that I accompanied her, so much that one day I decided to surprise her by doing the weekly shop for her! I duly rhymed off the list and Kenneth and Edgar just humoured me by getting the goods out but never actually delivering them.
Mr. Wilkinson's was a fascinating corner shop and was literally in his converted front room. Rolls of bacon and ham hung from the ceiling, butter was in a huge block and was cut to order, a big square tin of mixed biscuits was displayed and sold by weight. It seemed as though you could buy anything there and apart from the goods mentioned, he also sold candles, loose tea, block soap and paraffin.Quite a diverse range of goods, it would not be allowed in these days of health and safety and all the hygienic packaging.
Taylor's chippy was also a cafe and also another corner shop which sold limited goods. At Bonfire night they supplied 3d worth of sweets in a triangular bag to the children. (I have been reminded that we did penny for the guy at the factory for these sweets.) They stocked a range of sweeties in jars and 1/2d and 1d sweets as well as limited groceries and cakes that were on display under a cover.
We used to make a liquorice drink by putting 1/2d spanish in a bottle of water and shaking it up.
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