Sweets

This shop was situated at Maryland Point: it was two adjacent shops made into one. The entrance was at the centre of the two conjoined shops. This was situated about 20 feet from the pavement. There was a large display window in the centre which meant there was a Y-shaped path to the door, making sure the customer was able to view the delights that lay beyond. Even at the age of five, I was able to see that this shop was from a bygone age. All kinds of girdles and corsets, legs with seamed stockings and other such things that I had never seen anybody wearing. The other window displayed cloth and other haberdashery, but inside the door was the real magic. In a small kiosk sat a lady surrounded by thick walls and a secure grill in front of her (the bars were just close enough to keep out a sawn off shotgun.) She was the cashier and had the only till in the shop, each department had a little capsule in which money and receipts were put. These were sent flying across the ceiling on a series of tracks to the cashier. After she had done her business, they were returned. The place was incredibly boring as a shop. It has nothing of any interest to anybody after 1940 but the capsules pinging across the ceiling were a joy to behold.

In later years I realized these journeys to Sweets always occurred after various members of my mum’s family would mention a Sweets cheque had arrived. What this was, I never knew and will find out now as the shop has long since gone. I understand that ration books could still be used until the early 60’s but this is probably just evil rumour. It was a time warp place.