Greys Department Store

[Radiorails]

Vivienne, when I worked on buildings I was given advice from a window cleaner who was an acquaintance of mine. He said "the streets are narrow and the roofs are high". In other words the majority of people do not look upwards.

 

[Vivienne14]

This Birmingham institution is fondly remembered in Carl Chinn's 1996 article below. What a store this once was, along with Rackhams and Lewis's, they offered wonderful places to browse and shop. Viv.





Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[BigJohn]

I had a Saturday job (remember them?) at Grey’s 1967-8. Worked in the staff canteen on the top floor. The manageress was a fearsome lady called Mrs Reynolds.

I remember Mrs Reynolds. She was a dragon.
Her blond hair was always looking perfect. She must have pulled it up on top of her head and had a bun wig covering it. If ever there was a complaint she would call one of the directors to get her opinion in before the complaining person got out of the lift to the offices.

 

[Tally]

My wife Gloria (was Dineen back then) worked at Greys in, she thinks, 1969-71. She was from Small Heath.
Worked in the stockroom/warehouse 'packing boxes'.
I only found this out a few weeks ago after 50 yrs married.
Its a very long shot but I wonder if anyone remembers her.
Were in Australia now....for last 37 yrs.

 

[Vivienne14]

An aeriel view. Much roadwork goimg on outside Greys. A few temporary bus stops located by Stead and Simpsons footwear shop. Seems odd that there were once trees in the middle of Bull Street. Looking at the street lights this must have been around late 1960s (?). Viv.

 

[Richard Dye]

An aeriel view. Much roadwork goimg on outside Greys. A few temporary bus stops located by Stead and Simpsons footwear shop. Seems odd that there were once trees in the middle of Bull Street. Looking at the street lights this must have been around late 1960s (?). Viv.

View attachment 180678

I remember that spot VERY well!

 

[ExeterKen]

I worked in the Dixons concession in Greys from about 1966 to about 1968. It was initially in a corner near the staff entrance. There was a lift just nearby with a lift operator and it went to the basement. The operator was a bit sharp at times. He was in the basement on one occasion and a customer walked up to him and asked if he was going up. His reply was "Well I can't very well go down can I unless you've got a shovel". The nursing sister seemed to have a great belief in the efficacy of vitamin C tablets - whatever you went to her with, she'd always hand out a fistful of vitamin C tablets. I married one of the window dressers but one of them left while I was there. For some reason he was less than impressed by Greys and the window that he did on his last day featured occasional tables and table lamps with a big display card reading "Occasionally we get lit up". By the time the Dixons concession closed we had formed the opinion that there were 52 weeks in a year and Greys had 57 sales.

 

[Maria Magenta]

I worked in the Dixons concession in Greys from about 1966 to about 1968. It was initially in a corner near the staff entrance. There was a lift just nearby with a lift operator and it went to the basement. The operator was a bit sharp at times. He was in the basement on one occasion and a customer walked up to him and asked if he was going up. His reply was "Well I can't very well go down can I unless you've got a shovel". The nursing sister seemed to have a great belief in the efficacy of vitamin C tablets - whatever you went to her with, she'd always hand out a fistful of vitamin C tablets. I married one of the window dressers but one of them left while I was there. For some reason he was less than impressed by Greys and the window that he did on his last day featured occasional tables and table lamps with a big display card reading "Occasionally we get lit up". By the time the Dixons concession closed we had formed the opinion that there were 52 weeks in a year and Greys had 57 sales.

The shop had its own nurse? That's really interesting.

 

[BigJohn]

The nurse was very efficient. When I worked in Greys Cash Office I was about 18 and I developed a carbuncle under an armpit. It was very uncomfortable and went to see her. While she was examining me deciding of whether to lance it or draw it with dressings the phone went and it was my dept wanting to know why I was there for such a long time. She burned the ear of my dept head - Miss Vic - and told her she wasn't finished and she was lucky that I was on work at all! I think what the nurse said went, and overruled anyone else.
Avril.

 

[Richard Dye]

The shop had its own nurse? That's really interesting.

Most businesses back in those days had a nurse, some larger businesses, like factories had doctors as well. Many also had St John’s Ambulance teams as well.

 

[Maria Magenta]

Most businesses back in those days had a nurse, some larger businesses, like factories had doctors as well. Many also had St John’s Ambulance teams as well.

I didn't realise that.

 

[Pedrocut]

Greys, Bull Street, 28th September 1954.

 

[Vivienne14]

New Year staff party in the staff restaurant.

Viv


Source:British Newspaper Archive

 

[John L]

Further to the late Phil's post #141. The photograph shows a bomb crater on the pavement outside Grey's following an air raid on 25th October 1940 (sorry, just noticed that information was already on #139, to which #141 was a response).

 

[John L]

Three advertisements for Greys (the one on the third photograph, is on the second building on the right):

 

[Lady Penelope]

My Auntie Dolly and Uncle Arthur circled in red. Not sure Mom would have been there as she was 18 at the time. Can't find the rest of my relatives yet but will keep looking.

 

[Vivienne14]

That's fantastic LadyP ! It's great that occasionally we can identify people in some of these photos - despite it not being the best quality. Civ.

 

[Graham2151]

Only just found this ,uncle Eric was Eric Middleton who was buyer for "Manchester" and Net Curtains on the 4th floor. As I recall there were 3 Aston brothers ,but because there was already a buyer with the name Aston (Cyril buyer on cotton dress fabrics)they had instore names Keith Ashley (buyer on woollen dress materials)Geoff Asher(married another member of staff Rita Ashford) and David .I worked for Keith and was in the same intake of trainees as Geoff.

I was a management trainee in 1966 and worked with Keith on Wollen fabrics for 3 months, I then transferred to Dress fabrics with Cyril Aston, I also worked for Eric Middleton on Manchester and Net department. By the time I managed Bedlinen, fancy linens and Towels Eric had been promoted to Floor controller on the first floor where my Departments were. If I remember rightly Keith and his brother Geoff left to run their own business. I remained with Debenhams for the next 20 years moving up the ranks until promoted Store Director running stores in Brighton, Southsea and eventually Croydon. Eric Middleton was instrumental in my development as a young trainee and kept me on the straight and narrow with his sage advice. I was saddened when I heard of his passing by the then Store Director Pat Wyatt. I think of Eric often, for without him I would have lost my job on at least one occasion. I am still in touch with Christine Druce ( now Foster) who Keith would remember I'm sure. Very fond memories of my time in the store.

 

[Richard Dye]

I was a management trainee in 1966 and worked with Keith on Wollen fabrics for 3 months, I then transferred to Dress fabrics with Cyril Aston, I also worked for Eric Middleton on Manchester and Net department. By the time I managed Bedlinen, fancy linens and Towels Eric had been promoted to Floor controller on the first floor where my Departments were. If I remember rightly Keith and his brother Geoff left to run their own business. I remained with Debenhams for the next 20 years moving up the ranks until promoted Store Director running stores in Brighton, Southsea and eventually Croydon. Eric Middleton was instrumental in my development as a young trainee and kept me on the straight and narrow with his sage advice. I was saddened when I heard of his passing by the then Store Director Pat Wyatt. I think of Eric often, for without him I would have lost my job on at least one occasion. I am still in touch with Christine Druce ( now Foster) who Keith would remember I'm sure. Very fond memories of my time in the store.

Welcome to The Forum Graham! A wonderful story, thank you!

 

[farmerdave]

Greys, Bull Street, 28th September 1954.

View attachment 182359

Is that a Lyons Tea Room towards the far left? White building and name largely obscured by a road sign. Dave.

 

[Monique Woodward]

What lovely memories this brings back and it is so generous of people to upload photos.

 

[Barbara Tarbuck]

Wow! I haven't signed in for sometime and cant resist adding my thoughts about Greys store. In the 1950's mum used to take me to their sales. She would 'rummage' while I told to 'hang on' to the back of her coat. She purchased gloves, scarves and I am sure many more bargains. Lewis's was another of her favourites. The old lifts with bell boys and the wooden escalators were a dream to a child. (just like the TV program 'are you being served'....wow how old am I?

 

[John L]

Wow! I haven't signed in for sometime and cant resist adding my thoughts about Greys store. In the 1950's mum used to take me to their sales. She would 'rummage' while I told to 'hang on' to the back of her coat. She purchased gloves, scarves and I am sure many more bargains. Lewis's was another of her favourites. The old lifts with bell boys and the wooden escalators were a dream to a child. (just like the TV program 'are you being served'....wow how old am I?

Just a youngster Barbara, like we all are at heart!

 

[a s wood]

Greetings
Greys is in the background of this film [ame="[MEDIA=youtube]rBmfVvzW1bg[/MEDIA]"]YouTube - WMPTE Travelcard Bus JOJ820[/ame] the film was shot near to Snow Hill Station when I shot the film it was being used as a car park

Video no longer there.