Town’s famous clothes shops

Discussion on the history of Cupar’s shopping environs is livening up – with a transatlantic contribution, no less, today.

Austin, Texas, resident Marie Bassett gets in touch to regale Craigie with a colourful account of textile and clothing traders in the Fife town from the mid-19th Century up to just 13 years ago.

Referring to a 1914 scene on a vintage postcard copied for this column by Broughty Ferry deltiologist Jim Howie, she emails: “It shows what once was an iconic view of Cupar, at the intersection of Crossgate and St Catherine’s Street.

“The Mercat Cross now stands across Crossgate on the spot where the postcard’s photographer took his shot. The building to the right was constructed as the Burgh Chambers after the Tollbooth was demolished in 1815. It is a very impressive building topped with a cupola, clock tower and weather vane.

“The ground floor was let out for retail purposes, and its first occupant, Andrew Hain, was described as a woollen and linen draper and silk mercer. He made trips south of the border and over to the Continent buying merchandise that guaranteed his clientele kept up with the latest fashions.

“In May 1845, Andrew Hain advertised his return from ‘London and other English and Scotch markets with a large and splendid assortment of New Goods for the present season, all of which have been carefully selected by himself, which he is determined to sell at extremely moderate terms’.

“While in London, he procured a gilt engraving of the royal coat of arms which was attached above the door of his shop. It fell into disrepair, but was later refurbished and was once again displayed prominently.

“In April 1846, in spite of the enticing array of ‘new silks, cashmeres, De Laines, Cobourgs, prints, shawls, bonnets, ribbons, flowers, parasols, cloths, tweeds, vestings, hats, etcetera’, Andrew Hain had a sale of his entire stock for ready money.

“One of his employees, David Husband, along with J Simpson, had set up in competition in the Crossgate. By October that year, Andrew was bankrupt, and two years later he let his shop to Husband who advertised that, because of ‘the general depressed state of trade’, he had been able to purchase goods at unusually low prices which he meant to sell for barely any profit.

“They included gala tartans, ‘furs, boas, victorines (fur tippets), cuff gauntlets, riding boas, etcetera’. It appears that Cupar had little use for such fashionable fripperies. By 1853, David Husband also was bankrupt.

“In the postcard view, the building bears the name J Galloway. John Galloway took over the drapery business in 1858. It would remain in the Galloway family until 1927 when the manager, William Peattie, became the proprietor. The name, JH Galloway, survived until the business closed in 2007.”

Ever-attentive, Marie adds: “In September 2002, the Scottish Field published the same view, which looked distinctly odd until I realised it was a reverse image. I dashed off a letter to the editor which earned me a bottle of whisky for my perception!”

This photo showing the Mercat Cross in Cupar was taken circa 1914 and has prompted a detailed account of the town’s development from Texas-based reader Marie Bassett.

This vintage picture was taken at a DC Thomson dinner many years ago, possibly in the 1970s, and comes from the publishing company’s retired employee Irene Leggate. She says she’d be delighted if any readers could identify some of those who are shown.