Twins were the face of Howells
IT has been an institution in Cardiff for more than 150 years.
Howells in St Mary Street is one of Wales’ best known department stores.
For some, however, the faces who were working within the store have become almost as iconic as the building itself – and none more so than the sight of twins Michael and Howard Jones.
Identical by sight and clad in matching uniforms, for the siblings what would become a lifetime’s love affair with the store started in the same manner it would finish four decades later – side by side.
Aged 17 the brothers were even interviewed together in the same room, fresh from finishing their learning at Cardiff High School.
Such is their status that now, 50 years later, they are spotted on a daily basis by old colleagues and customers and have been recognised as far away as Spain as the “Howells brothers”.
“We went to the same interview,” Michael, now 59, said.
“Mrs Jenkins was the personnel manager and she interviewed us at the same time, which was quite unusual.
“It was our first interview, they liked us and we liked them, and it worked out well.”
From that day in 1976 the twins began a journey which would see them take on managerial roles in nearly every department – with the exception of womenswear.
Despite their status, though, no hard feelings ever arose between the young men hungry for success.
Testament to that is the fact that even after working 40 years together the brothers continue to live under the same roof in Llanishen and are enjoying their retirement together.
“We were competitive but not competitive with each other,” Michael said.