Love that view. I wonder if the planning department ever walked along the river and thought about the view before they gave permission for the new buildings.
Never heard of Plummer Roddis - thought Debenhams had been there forever x.
Duncan, Sorry for the delayed response, domestic events overtook me responding earlier. You would have certainly been at Plummbers whilst my Mum was there, although she left to have me in the September of 1969.
An evocative photo, Julie. I like the way it presents the then modern building as if it were part of a Constable painting.
In the early 70s, I remember Plummers' customers tossing coins into a small fountain whilst queueing for the cafeteria. I was most disappointed when the fountain was covered over and replaced by a couple of mannequins on a platform. A coco-cola float in a very tall glass was a real treat as an eight year old circa 1972. I also seem to remember the caefeteria regularly served mushrooms on toast! Outdoor seating was on the terrace area in your picture - orange and white plastic bucket chairs in the early 70s, faux country house cream coloured ironwork furniture by the early 80s.
I remember my parents coming home with a handful of discounted records when Plummers basement was flooded. The original sleeves had been reduced to mush so the vinyl was being sold off in standard cardboard. This could have been at the time of the Guildford flood of autumn 1968 though feels 2-3 years later than that (were there more floods after ’68?) The subway entrance to the store opened soon after the flooding (now blocked off) though I think Plummers had become Debenhams by then. Harveys became A&N soon afterwards, if I remember correctly.
Love that view. I wonder if the planning department ever walked along the river and thought about the view before they gave permission for the new buildings.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Plummer Roddis - thought Debenhams had been there forever x.
This was my first job from April 1969 to Jan 1973 workedin the Food Hall
ReplyDeleteDuncan, Sorry for the delayed response, domestic events overtook me responding earlier. You would have certainly been at Plummbers whilst my Mum was there, although she left to have me in the September of 1969.
DeleteAn evocative photo, Julie. I like the way it presents the then modern building as if it were part of a Constable painting.
ReplyDeleteIn the early 70s, I remember Plummers' customers tossing coins into a small fountain whilst queueing for the cafeteria. I was most disappointed when the fountain was covered over and replaced by a couple of mannequins on a platform. A coco-cola float in a very tall glass was a real treat as an eight year old circa 1972. I also seem to remember the caefeteria regularly served mushrooms on toast! Outdoor seating was on the terrace area in your picture - orange and white plastic bucket chairs in the early 70s, faux country house cream coloured ironwork furniture by the early 80s.
I remember my parents coming home with a handful of discounted records when Plummers basement was flooded. The original sleeves had been reduced to mush so the vinyl was being sold off in standard cardboard. This could have been at the time of the Guildford flood of autumn 1968 though feels 2-3 years later than that (were there more floods after ’68?) The subway entrance to the store opened soon after the flooding (now blocked off) though I think Plummers had become Debenhams by then. Harveys became A&N soon afterwards, if I remember correctly.