My Grandfather, Leonard Deadman, was the manager at Rodmans at 3 St James Street till it shut in the early 1960s. I believe he worked there from 1932 after he moved from Slough where he was manager of that branch of the firm.
The black and white photo is how I remember the shop when we stayed there in the 1950s. Do you remember Rodmans? If you do, please leave a comment below.
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I remember Rodmans. Never had occasion to go inside but the window was always interesting. Northampton Shoe Repair fixed a strap on my bag. Down on the corner was Lyons Corner House and I remember a lot of shoe shops going up the street. Always busy. The Post Office was at the bottom. So many years since I was in that area, I am sure it is all changed now.
During the early 1960s my mates and l used to buy our shirts and collars from Rodmans. We all used detachable collars in those days and the man in the shop asked us if we had ever used “paper collars”. We laughed but then he showed us that they could be worn once, then turned inside out and worn again, then you threw them away. They were great value for money. If l remember you got about twelve in a pack for two and six pence in old money.Wish they were still there now. Happy days.
I worked here in 1966 for a couple of years on leaving school at the age of 15. The manager at the time was a Mr Puncheon and the assistant managers name was Mr Watson. I remember Mr Deadman used to pay a visit when we had a delivery and would stop and chat over a cup of coffee. I am now 67 years old but still have fond memories of my first couple of years in the workplace.
Nice to see the comment from Michael Stokes about Rodman’s and my Grandfather Len Deadman: Len, his wife Brenda and my mother lived above the shop from about 1933 onwards, Len and Brenda eventually moved to the outskirts of Brighton in about 1964.I have happy memories of watching the trolleybuses from the upstairs window in the 1950’s/60’s.
Rodmans didn’t close in the 60’s. It shut around 1981/2.
I worked there in 1976. The manager was a Mr Langley, Assistant Man, Mr Beechill.
My father worked at Rodman’s at some stage either in late 40s or early 50s. I have a picture of him standing outside with a work colleague. My father’s name was John Coulson.
If possible, I would love to se the photo of Graham Coulson’s father standing outside of Rodman’s in the 1940’s or 50’s. My brother, sister and I used to spend holidays in the flat above with our Grandparents – Leonard Dedman being involved in the Rodman’s business.
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