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Boots was a great place to get some cheap releases, because from memory they would always be a bit behind the curve and have things for cheaper that they just couldn't shift. Smiths and Woolworths usually had all the current stuff and Our Price definitely did, plus loads to browse in the racks. There was great music choice in shops back in the day wasn't there.........

You witnessed some history there. Interesting to hear that they stored things from the LT Museum there afterwards (including FRM1!). They must have felt it was pretty secure and maybe giving the impression that there was nothing of much value inside once it had closed.

It was a complete business-killer which was a shame because Ratners sold a good range of watches at better prices than say, Argos or other jewellers.

@@IlfordRetro Oh definitely. I forgot Argos sold jewellery and watches now you mentioned it. Was Elizabeth Duke.

@@rajnirvan3336 that's the one. I remember thinking Elizabeth Duke sounded so posh!

Wow, you actually met Big Daddy at a local wrestling gig! Incredible. I only have a vague recollection of other events being held at the swimming baths, but like the Odeon cinemas, anywhere big enough would be used as an event space in days gone by.

@@IlfordRetro No i met him years later when he was at his most famous at crystal Palace Swimming pool my Mum watched him wrestling at ilford Swimming baths when she was younger.

@@davidmoore2308 oh, my mistake I read your comment incorrectly. Makes sense that it was your Mum who saw the Crabtrees at Ilford - and still a big deal that you both saw him. Big Daddy passed away far too early.

It was a masterclass in what NOT to say about your own business! I didn't realise there was an apology in the press but as you point out, the damage was already done. I wish more of those corporate gaffes happened these days. Well, in fact I'm sure they do, most notably on Twitter but these days they are more likely to gain you a following if not loads of publicity for your brand 😂 .

@@IlfordRetro they say bad publicity is better than no publicity! I'm not sure about that!

@@ClydebridgeStation 🤣

You're right that in previous years the High Road was always packed and on a Saturday afternoon it would be heaving. The old Burger King on the High Road has reopened as Popeye's Chicken which brings some life back to that part of the street. It seems popular enough and will hopefully last longer than the Wendy's that was there before it.

An interesting take. There is something in what you're saying I think. I don't think pedestrianisation itself was a bad idea; it separated the traffic and no doubt eliminated fatalities caused by erratic driving and jay walking. However in its combination with the opening of the Exchange shopping centre it meant footfall slowly gravitated towards it and the peripheral but important businesses suffered. Ilford High Road's core of businesses used to spread to its eastern edge. You could find the ABC cinema and Lloyds Bank for example as well as Ajax sports shop whereas now there is no reason to browse or bank at that end of town. The discounter supermarkets do good trade but they feel disconnected from being anything to do with the High Road, with Griggs Approach making a defined and imposing border. I wonder whether buses could still have been accommodated down the High Road to give it some combination of pedestrian and calmer transport mix. All academic now of course - until some new masterplan is drawn up! Barkingside and Romford do still have something of that old Ilford busy-ness (although Romford too is largely pedestrianised).

Nice to hear from a viewer who remembers the new Bodgers store being built. You were there at a time when the new-look Ilford Broadway was being shaped and the old early Victorian buildings lining the entrance to the town were being swept away. I think it would have been an exciting time to witness that change, which for me was the 60s equivalent to the construction of the dual carriageway and pedestrianisation of the High Road 25 years later. The fire at Harrison Gibsons was huge news too and it must have been the talk of the town for quite a while. The fact the replacement building was erected within a year or so has always fascinated me. It's like they hardly missed any business. The square, concrete architecture was not a patch on the beautiful Victorian row that was burnt down, and today the former H&G building still stands, derelect and awaiting demolition. The railways offered some good careers and hopefully led you to all manner of experiences in different regions. Nice that you remember those from your Ilford days.

Wonderful memories and thanks for sharing them. The old cedar tree is still there, as of course is the mansion, cricket pitch and tennis courts. The old boating lake ceased many moons ago (not got a specific year for that unfortunately) and you may have heard they will be building a new lido beside the site of the original one you remember which was demolished in 1995. Thankfully it remains the jewel in the crown of the town and is generally well managed. I can imagine the scene of your dad crossing that zebra crossing with the cat draped over him like an accessory!

Crescent Cameras eh, that's a name that I don't recall and it sounds quaint by today's technology trendy brands (eg Wex instead of Calumet Photography). The experience of being made redundant is never nice, but the fact that it was from a company that no longer exists perhaps makes your time there a bit more unique and no doubt nostalgic?! Were they upstairs or downstairs at Centreway?

@@IlfordRetro Cresent Cameras also had a branch at Gants Hill (which was the first branch I worked at). I cut my teeth on the retail industry and found it all very interesting as I didn't have a clue about photographic equipment prior to working there, But I soaked it up like a sponge and learned a lot including how to handle photographic equipment and how to sell it to 'Joe public' and I ultimately become a quite good amateur photographer even if I say so myself.😆 The Shop was right on the corner of the upper cranbrook road next to the Mandarin Palace, they took over the shop when crescent cameras went the way of the Dodo in 1980...ish. If you look at the Chinese restaurant today, the camera shop was the part with logographic writing and ' function room & cocktail bar ' on the shop front sign. Hard to believe that was 44 years ago.

Great insight into the company. It was the only taxi firm anyone used to call in the 80s. It seems the owner was ahead of his time and for that small period really had cornered the market. While researching the episode I couldn't find much about the present company at all and its office on the High Road is vacant, identified only by the firm's signage. A real shame he didn't receive what the company's real value - as you say, figuratively you cannot begin to put a price on a good reputation.

According to what I've read online, the 199 started in 1972 to replace the southern end of the 179. The 179 continued to run on Saturdays though, meaning there was a duplication on that bit of the route. Good question as to why they would use double deckers on it! Yes the large Sainsbury's is due for demolition when their housing project on the site commences construction. The replacement Sainsbury's will apparently be smaller than the existing one. Not sure when that's all going to start though.

You are absolutely right about that. Once the houses were pulled down on Oakfield Road, car parks were created and for many years lay undeveloped. I think some were actually free. I know it seems a long time ago, but it was ONLY just over 20 years ago that Cineworld was built! That's relatively recent in my humble opinion 😅

I never knew Wimpy did in-house entertainment 🤣 What a kind man you are. An impromptu show like that (as long as no one was seriously hurt) is well worth a complimentary fee. Was at least some consolation to the manager!

Usually a good range of stock and decent prices too

You did a fair bit of business with them by look of it. I think the Sapphire was such a classic model, more elegant than say, a Granada in my opinion.

@@IlfordRetro My family certainly did! Fords were very much the fabric of Britain in those days, at least it felt that way for me as a young 'un. Mom sold her sapphire in 2006 after a £500 servicing bill from the same dealership in your vid a few years prior and uncle scrapped his fiesta a year after that as the fuel injection was playing up on a car that was then worth about £750, if that! Still both cars lasted beyond their specified design/service life to be fair!

@@shahzadayub7191 Very good mileage and decent length of service by the sound of things. It's no wonder they've issued some of the most popular models in the UK over time. Good to hear your experience of them!

And almost opposite the ilford swimming pool.

@@Mr-To-Do-List Ah yes that too. That part of the area was very memorable for me. Once lived in Goodmayes and my late grandparents were Ilford residents from early 80s to late 90s. Seven Kings was where my grandparents lived from 1983 to 1997 great memories

The site is now being dwarfed by high-rise buildings 😢

@@awsanteina5152 and may well become a high rise plot itself one day

@@Mr-To-Do-List the old swimming pool is now Isaac Newton Academy

One of the better places to do work experience I would imagine? Better than being stuck behind a desk - unless you were actually stuck behind the desk at the dealership!

Sorry! 😄Yes you're right, that when it was selling models under British Leyland it was near the end of Steward & Ardern's time running it. Seems nearly a lifetime ago, I know.

Brilliant anecdote 🤣. Always wondered about that sauna, next to (above?) Regent Jewellers. It was a time when seedier venues in town were actually amongst the hustle and bustle of the High Road. There was also a place behind Alalees/Stop Outs. The streets have been comparatively sanitised since! I wonder whether the Detective Constable was charged???

@@IlfordRetro No - he was part of an undercover operation and I guess it was more interesting to him than any other special assignment he was on. The Ilford Recorder was much more interesting in those days. A pity it's archive is not on-line because I distinctly remember the current MP for Ilford North, Wes Streeting was writing pompous letters which were published as early as 1993 - whan Master Streeting was all of ten years old. I left Ilford (I lived in his constituency in Barkingside till 1996), so his later letters were written when he was only 13. I always had the impression he had a ghost writer!. No child of that age is so erudite, especially when he claims to have lived in the poverty he says he did. His recent autobiography has the same air of fantasy.

@@algiles881 Wow! You have a good memory for the Recorder back then and it's funny to read your suspicion that a young Streeting had a ghost writer 😄 - I didn't ever get it so will take your word for it! Yes I also think it is a pity the paper's archive isn't online. What I remember from the occasional Yellow Advertiser or Redbridge Post edition was that stories were much meatier back then. Ah, I misunderstood about the undercover work of the DC. I'm sure he felt it was a decent gig!

@@IlfordRetro I always think of that Monty Python sketch about the Four Yorkshiremen, when I hear Keir Rodney Starmer KC KBE and Wesley Paul William Streeting fantasising about their early lives. I can only assume Mandelson or Alistair Campbell write both their scripts. They tell so many half truths and lies - "Dad was a toolmaker" (who ran his own business but "couldn't afford to pay the phone bill") his wife "works in the NHS" (as a lawyer) and the stone wielding on a farm that Keir Rodney did to earn a few pence as an adolescent (William Wilberforce would be turning in his grave!). YOu get the feeling of the old Hovis ad which used the New World Symphony of Dvorak. Where do you begin with Wesley?. You would have to go a long way to beat the two-parent, one parent family. They are both frankly liars. Keir Rodney also never mentions he himself is a landowner in Surrey and he is a multi-millionaire.

@@algiles881 Well I can honestly say I didn't know any of that!

I honestly never knew that Woolies sold such a wide range of items that they even did sports equipment. That's when there was real choice across and between reatilers.

When were you at CC? I was 74-85. Are you in the old boys group on Facebook?

I love the fact that you were familiar enough with him and shop to exchange cards with a bit of banter.

@@IlfordRetro thank you. It will be interesting to see what Cranbrook college is like now.

@@Mr-To-Do-List I understand that CC closed in 2016 and it has since become another school called Read Academy. As far as Google Street View shows, the buildings remain the same as they were under CC, perhaps with a few cosmetic changes?

It was a great shop, that's true and perhaps the fact that it wasn't continued by a different owner means our memories of it remain positive and glowing.

So true. It just seemed to go on and on. Always had a new shelf of items to discover

well, I'm happy that you can revisit it through these videos!

It must have built a solid reputation far and wide. They seemed to stock everything in there

🤣 Brilliant story. There's always one isn't there! Interesting job you had, as a supplier to these businesses. Clearly you got to know the people behind the scenes very well.

@@IlfordRetroBack to Mr Gilbey! He always faxed his orders. I can remember a day when Mr Gilbey ordered one of our own brand staplers. He wanted a white one. This colour was out of stock, but Mr Gilbey faxed an order and then got on a 369 bus to collect from us 😳 I explained when he arrived, and offered him the choice of another two white staplers, better than what he had ordered, OR, he can wait until tomorrow as I can get one of our own brand delivered to him, we had other customers in Ilford. Mr Gilbey decided to cancel the order. Who was that desperate for a white stapler??

@@thebohemian. A very good question and clearly he was a very particular person! I love the anecdote but have to ask whether you mean these were the actions of Mr Goldie of Gilbey's or was this actually Mr Gilbey?!

@@IlfordRetro We never knew his first name. He was Mr Goldie from Gilbey’s of Wood Green. We referred to him as Mr Gilbey as a portmanteau!

@@thebohemian. Riiiight I see what you mean and it makes sense. It adds to the mystery surrounding this gentleman that you never knew his first name. The fact that a link to him turns up in so many episodes is also a bit spooky. He, and his quirks, live on thanks to you!

Absolutely right about the different types of shops on Cranbrook compared with the High Road. Cranbrook had more specialisms and it wasn't constant retail either, with its variety of independents, tea houses, department stores and offices next to each other. It had its own subculture.

@@IlfordRetro I mentioned on another website that it's also heartbreaking when a big shop like this has been split into 2 or more new properties

@@rajnirvan3336 you're right about that. It signals the end of something that at the time, worked so well only to be torn apart by change.

I think the department store you're referring to is either bodgers or fairheads

@@awsanteina5152 yes Fairheads. I could never remember it well. Bodger was prominent

You were one of the lucky few to experience the brand new theatre. It must have been quite special. Glad you found the channel even though you're thousands of miles away.

Thanks for your comment and for supporting the channel, we're glad you like them!

I'd love to see a photo of that corner before the development, and it's no surprise you remember what it looked like having a route through it to the LEB! I suppose the building of the pool gave access to swimming lessons for local schools like nothing before.

@@IlfordRetro I’ve got a photo of trolleybuses parked adjacent to where the wood once stood in one of my bus books… I’ll try and find it for you!

@@peterb514 Really?! That would be wonderful to see what it was like. By all means you can email me on ilfordretro at gmail .com

Ah yes, those quirks in services were and are quite frustrating. And York Road didn't have a shelter as such, so shelter in rain or wose would have been under a tree overhanging from someone's front garden. I've never seen a photo of that HMV, I think it must have disappeared around 1977ish, but hopefully someone will be able to confirm that one day.

Welcome Jane, thank you for stopping by the channel and we're pleased you enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

I know the one you mean and notice the edging you mention when I pass. There are still a couple of steps leading down to it. I think about the times in which model boats were floated there and think how nice it would have been to do so on a dedicated lake.

Thanks for sharing that, I had no idea.

They were both excellent party venues. Oscars was legendary and Room at The Top had a bit of class about it.

Imagine that now, 5p to get into central London! Thanks for sharing your memories Sue, the Odeon was a great place to see a film and Gants Hill was a good place in general to socialise.

Yes it looks like they're being advertised for new tenants. Hopefully something will take up the space soon.

@@IlfordRetro I hope with former Wilko it's something that can carry 2 floors. Also prevention of splitting

@@rajnirvan3336 yes that would be good

@@IlfordRetro it's still even sad seeing Harrison Gibson derelict. Along with the big Boots now been spilt and the former Debenhams. Even more when M&S goes. So heartbreaking. Sometimes brings tears to my of what we remember from our childhood memories

@@rajnirvan3336 the retail landscape has changed immeasurably hasn't it. A real shame.

I can just imagine the scene. It must have been fascinating as a youngster to see all that, and later realise you were witnessing change. I've not come across any photos of that little wood by the roundabout, they really would be nostalgic.

Thanks Larry, glad you could take something new from it!

Landing knee high in sludge meant I couldn't possibly press 'love' for your comment 😆 I know the waterfalls you mean; I hope you didn't catch anything dodgy as a result. But what a great location to do games at......

Sounds like Kirkcaldy also knows how to keep a multi-purpose green space thriving! Also very cool that it has been used for international sport, indeed I think there should be more international events held in British parks whenever possible. Ha! Good question. I will thow you a cliche and say that Episode #100 will be just as special as all the others! 😅

As I know you know, it's always worth stopping off at Valentines Park if you have the time. Hopefully on your next visit.

Lovely to still remember the rolls from Pithers. Good food doesn't get forgotten. "Pollyfilla" made me laugh out loud! 😂

I remember the ice cream ladies at the interval and it seems such a quaint thing nowadays. I won't deny your memories but I remember thinking the place must have had incredible sound proofing because I couldn't ever make out the noise from the tube trains (although I was probably too engrossed in the films to notice!)

@@IlfordRetro it was a very faint rumble… 😉

@@peterb514 I'm sure you're right. Far too close for there not to be any effect really.

It's always nice when the bus stop is near shop window worth gazing at!