Derby Telegraph

Curtain call

THE CITY DRAPERY STORE WHICH WAS ‘THE MAGNET THAT DRAWS THE PEOPLE’

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STANDING directly across East Street from Boots the Chemist, on the opposite corner of St Peter’s Street, it was one of Derby’s most iconic buildings, the first purposebui­lt independen­t department store in the town, a grand fourstorey affair that was perhaps the most striking feature of the main shopping street.

Now only Derbeians of a certain vintage recall the Midland Drapery. But they do so with great affection, rememberin­g those familiar canopies that shaded vast windows filled with all manner of enticing goods.

The store’s name was emblazoned in huge letters to both street fronts of the building. The trademark magnet sign was fixed to the frontage, high on its very corner. It was, to use the company’s own slogan “The Magnet that Draws the People”.

The store had begun, as the name suggests, as a simple drapery shop, employing only five people. But it grew rapidly. By the time it celebrated its first decade, in the 1890s, the Midland Drapery’s department­s stretched over two sites – one on St Peter’s Street and the other on East Street. Its owner, Edwin Ann, had become mayor of the town. Two years later he was knighted. He later served a second term as mayor.

In only ten years, the Midland Drapery grew to employ 230 members of staff, all of whom were transporte­d by train to Chatsworth House for a special celebratio­n. As the business continued to grow, so its store expanded to occupy most of the corner, which required the demolition of several small buildings including two popular inns. Even this did not prove big enough and an additional furniture department operated closer to the Cornmarket.

The census of 1911 shows a great number of Midland Drapery employees living above the store. Most of them were women working as shop assistants. Other residents worked as clerks and some as servants. The two men living on site were a draper’s assistant and a caretaker. Many of the workers originated from outside of Derbyshire, and one was born in the

United States.

While there must have been disadvanta­ges to living “above the shop”, those employees were certainly at the very heart of the town centre, only yards from Boots the Chemist, and Thurman and Malin, and with the Derby Co-operative Society stores just around the corner.

By the time of Sir Edwin’s death, in 1913, his company had several other

branches, including those opened at Long Eaton, Stapenhill and Worcester. So beloved was he that, during his final illness, regular updates on his condition were published in the local newspaper. His funeral was attended by most of the great and good of the town and many onlookers lined the route of his cortege.

By the 1920s, the Midland Drapery, while still stocking drapery goods, had become a true department store. It had a large fashion department. “We hold the largest stock of

Knitted Wear in the Midlands,” ran one advertisem­ent.

In 1925, the store placed a newspaper advertisem­ent announcing its “New Arcade which is acknowledg­ed to be the finest shopping improvemen­t in Derby. Here you may walk in comfort and inspect the Largest Window Displays at your leisure. These Window Displays are a veritable Exhibition. Get the Habit of Always Walking through the Midland Drapery Arcade, East Street”.

The company had become the town’s “goto” shop for anything and everything. In 1950, the Derby Telegraph carried countless advertisem­ents for its wares. Whether you wanted the “latest in Baby Carriages” or a new vacuum cleaner, you would find it at the Midland Drapery.

It even boasted of its role as a “Hoover Dealer”, declaring: “Your housework is made easier the modern way!”

By way of an example of its diversity, another advertisem­ent on the same page told shoppers about the “Six Varieties of Gladioli Bulbs” that were in stock.

After the business closed in 1969, the building, in many ways no longer fit for purpose with its wooden floors and escalators, was eventually demolished to make way for the altogether more brutal Audley Centre. One can only imagine what a magnificen­t feature of St Peter’s Street it would have made today.

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 ??  ?? A magnificen­t view of the building, year unknown, and (inset) the end comes with the start of its demolition after the business closed in 1969
A magnificen­t view of the building, year unknown, and (inset) the end comes with the start of its demolition after the business closed in 1969
 ??  ?? From left, Pat Palmer, Norman Hough, Jim Rogers, Jean Hough and Mrs Rogers at a work do, circa 1950s/60s, at the Derbyshire Yeoman
From left, Pat Palmer, Norman Hough, Jim Rogers, Jean Hough and Mrs Rogers at a work do, circa 1950s/60s, at the Derbyshire Yeoman
 ??  ?? Above, the Midland Drapery store in the late 20s. Left, a different view and, right, its generally derided replacemen­t the Audley Centre
Above, the Midland Drapery store in the late 20s. Left, a different view and, right, its generally derided replacemen­t the Audley Centre
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 ??  ?? Midland Drapery can be seen as the city centre is dressed to mark the Queen’s coronation. Below: flags out for a visit by Her Majesty in the 1950s, and to mark the coronation of George VI
Midland Drapery can be seen as the city centre is dressed to mark the Queen’s coronation. Below: flags out for a visit by Her Majesty in the 1950s, and to mark the coronation of George VI
 ??  ?? Jean Hough and Jackie Burnett dress the windows for a January sale, circa 1950s/60s. Also pictured is George the window cleaner
Jean Hough and Jackie Burnett dress the windows for a January sale, circa 1950s/60s. Also pictured is George the window cleaner
 ??  ?? From left, Joy Grace, Sheila Lewington, Hilda Habgood and Christine Knowles at a staff party in 1960
From left, Joy Grace, Sheila Lewington, Hilda Habgood and Christine Knowles at a staff party in 1960

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