Tuesday 21 February 2012

Boots On Parade

Both my parents worked for Boots the Chemists; in fact they met in the Wellingborough branch. Readers of More From Unmitigated England will remember that once the liason was discovered (or owned up to) my mother was summarily dispatched to the Matlock branch. In this volume's predecessor Unmitigated England I mentioned the sign above. It's on a corner of the High Street (Parade) and the narrow lane that leads down to the cathedral in Canterbury, and whenever I'm there (as on last Saturday) I check that it's still up on the wall. It's one of those rituals one does, quiet personal assurances that everything's as it should be. I first saw it on holiday in about 1957, my father doubtless in the shop either telling everybody he was from Leicester Boots or chatting up the girl on the photographic counter. And then, much to my amazement, I watched Powell & Pressburger's wonderful 1944 film A Canterbury Tale and, in a crane shot that follows a procession turning into the lane for the cathedral, this same sign appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. I noticed on Saturday that the shop sadly isn't a Boots anymore, (banished to a shopping centre or retail park I suppose), but I'm so glad the sign is still there, from an age when the integrity of the building and its environment was taken into account when signing. And another reward for always looking up.

31 comments:

Philip Wilkinson said...

Excellent post - the way place and memories interact is very powerful. The sign (is it stone, or a clever piece of plasterwork?) is integrated into the wall, so more difficult to take down than a board or similar fitting. I like the way that retailers used to go for this kind of permanence. Now it is all up today and all too often gone tomorrow.

Peter Ashley said...

Thanks Phil. I think the sign's in a very hard plaster- a bit like the decorative pargetting you get on East Anglian exterior walls.

Sue Imgrund said...

I blogged about bricks & mortar branding a little while ago and - from the Michelin building down to this humble little Boots sign, I love the air of permanence and reassuring stability that these things lend. Don't think we'll be seeing anything like this for Primark, or am I mistaken?

Peter Ashley said...

I'm afraid we won't Sue. Major chains have no conception about the character of buildings, and if they're not in a purpose built retail shed will just run out their 'corporate identity' onto existing buildings in the minimum number of sizes they can get away with.

Stephen Barker said...

Retailer's nowadays favour leasing or renting their outlets rather than tying up their capital in bricks and mortar. An attitude that is not conducive to displays of permenance. As long as customers want low prices and easy parking for their cars there is no incentive to invest heavily in the property. Mind you W H Smith found in the 1930's that the investment they made in their shops could be counter productive as it discouraged shoppers who thought they were exclusive and only for the more affluant to shop out, not a mistake you would make today.

Peter Ashley said...

Stephen: Remnants of WH Smith's more pleasing signage and decoration still lingers on in some towns- the beautiful tiles for postcards and maps on the Great Malvern branch, and an original 'Newsboy' enamel hanging sign in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Hels said...

Of course you are glad that the sign is still there - for continuity and a sense of historical reliabity, as well as for architectural integrity. Everyone over a certain age loves historical integrity :)

Spouse and I lived in hospital accommodation for a few years in the early 1970s, because young doctors worked endless hours for crappy pay. So Boots and Mothercare were the cornerstones of our lives in Britain.

Mr_Handley said...

I live in Canterbury and the city, like so many other towns and cities throughout the UK, has fallen foul of the corporate homogenisation that has now stolen the charm and individuality of our highstreets!It's a real bugbear of mine!!!!

Anonymous said...

Normally I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice article.

Jib Cranes

Peter Ashley said...

Thankyou Jib Cranes. You have spurred me on to getting down to write more!

Anonymous said...

I knoω this web pagе pгeѕеnts qualitу depеnԁing artiсleѕ and аdditional data, is therе аny οther site
ωhіch pгesents such stuff іn qualіty?


Неrе is my homepаge ... ipad repair

Anonymous said...

I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up!
I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road. All the best

My webpage Michael Kors Outlet

Anonymous said...

It's really a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

Here is my homepage: Gucci Sito Ufficiale Scarpe

Anonymous said...

Quality content is thе crucial to invite the visіtors to vіsit the
site, that's what this web site is providing.

My webpage; ipad repair selangor

Anonymous said...

Hello everyone, it's my first visit at this site, and paragraph is really fruitful in support of me, keep up posting such posts.

My weblog ... Converse Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Hi to every onе, it's really a pleasant for me to visit this website, it consists of important Information.

Also visit my web-site; Iphone Repair Malaysia

Anonymous said...

Please let me know if you're looking for a author for your site. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd
absolutely love to write some material for your blog
in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested.
Kudos!

my web site Sidney Crosby Black Jersey

Anonymous said...

Paragraph wгiting is аlѕο a excitement,
іf yοu be aсquaіntеd wіth
afteг that уou cаn wгite if not it іѕ dіffiсult to ωrіte.


Lοok at my ωеb page :: ipad repair petaling jaya

Anonymous said...

What's up, yeah this piece of writing is really fastidious and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks.

Feel free to surf to my web page: Bonuses

Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought about writing аn e-book οr guest authοring оn
othеr blogs? I have а blog сеnteгed on thе same information you disсuss
anԁ ωoulԁ rеallу lіke to haνе you share some stories/information.

Ι know my аudienсe would ѵаlue youг work.
If you are evеn гemotely іnteгеsted, feеl fгee to send me an e mail.


Also visit mу blog poѕt; xing.com

Anonymous said...

I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself
or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks a lot

my web-site :: Louis Vuitton Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Nice weblog right here! Additionally your site so much up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your associate link for
your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

Here is my website: http://www.tedxyse.com

Anonymous said...

I am really enjoying the theme/design of your web site.
Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?
A few of my blog readers have complained about my website
not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.

Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?

Look into my web blog: chaussures de football pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Thankfulness to my father who stated to me on the topic of this webpage, this
blog is really remarkable.

my web blog radabg.com

Anonymous said...

Hey there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you're working with? I've loaded your blog in 3 different internet
browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a fair price? Thanks, I
appreciate it!

Also visit my web-site: next page

Anonymous said...

What's up, I wish for to subscribe for this weblog to take most up-to-date updates, so where can i do it please help out.

Here is my web page ... More Info

Anonymous said...

It's awesome to pay a quick visit this site and reading the views of all colleagues on the topic of this post, while I am also keen of getting experience.

Also visit my web site; More Help

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.vip1michaelkorsoutlet.org]Michael Kors Outlet[/url] That is why we have selected all kinds of shoe whether formal shoe for many formal events, any casual shoe for any kind of parties and lastly the fashionable shoes to

[url=http://www.mislouboutinsaleuk.co.uk]Christian Loubouboutin Discount[/url]These superb footwear might be a amazing and attractive

[url=http://www.getfreerunaustralia.org]Nike Free Run[/url]You need to make sure that you will feel comfortable when you are wearing the pair of shoes

[url=http://www.vipnikenewzealand.info]Cheap Nike Shoes[/url] This dress is most suitable for girls with a thin and slim figure

[url=http://www.upnikepascherfr.info]Nike Dunk[/url] L'ensemble des consommateurs qui dsirent plusieurs crations lgantes d'un trendsetter haut savoir comment faire put cual les chaussures

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.vip1michaelkorsoutlet.org]Michael Kors Outlet[/url] Fortunately online shopping is the easiest way to go to find pumps or sexy stilettos which have a variety of trendy fashions that not only suit your outfit and personality but that also comfortable to wear

[url=http://www.mislouboutinsaleuk.co.uk]Christian Louboutin Sale[/url]Second is the all around player which will need a little bit of everything

[url=http://www.getfreerunaustralia.org]Nike Free Run[/url]Here are single shoes for spring and summer days

[url=http://www.vipnikenewzealand.info]Cheap Nike Shoes[/url] The variety of stores available here include upscale jewelers, such as Jewel Box Fine Jewelers, and gift shops like the Market Street Gallery

[url=http://www.upnikepascherfr.info]Nike Dunk[/url] Once you decide on the placement of the lace, cut a section that is approximately 1 longer on either side of the front of each shoe

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its fastidious dialogue about this post here at this website, I have read all that,
so at this time me also commenting at this place.


Check out my page: Air Max

truongmuunghenhan said...

Thanks for sharing, nice post! Post really provice useful information!

Giaonhan247 chuyên dịch vụ mua hàng mỹ từ dịch vụ order hàng mỹ hay nhận mua nước hoa pháp từ website nổi tiếng hàng đầu nước Mỹ mua hàng ebay ship về VN uy tín, giá rẻ.