Memories of a Norwich ironmongers have flooded in as a bid was launched to have it named a listed building.
Planning permission was approved earlier this month for the former A Burrell and Sons shop, on Unthank Road, Norwich, to be demolished and a fish and chip shop put in its place.
But there was a backlash from residents, and a sign saying 'save this building' was hung from the Victorian shopfront.
Now David Jones, of Thorpe St Andrew, is asking anyone who knows about the history of the building to come forward, as he looks to have the shop dubbed a listed building.
And the response has got off to a good start.
Nick Arnold said: 'It would be a shame to lose this shop from Unthank Road, especially with a lot of the other premises being converted into modern units.
'I grew up in the 70s on Bury Street and although at that age I wasn't really into DIY as such, I did love going in there – it was a proper shop. My sister and I would even buy our mother birthday and mother's day gifts in there. I remember they used to sell little plaques with a cushion in the centre with a picture on, not sure if they were little pin cushions, could have been. I don't have many memories of this shop as I left Norwich in 1984 when I was 14, but I do fondly remember Burrells and did use the store even if it was to just wander around and look at all the little bits and pieces he had on sale.'
Paul Spelman, 66, said: 'l was apprenticed there with Peter Taylor in the 1960s. Living in Sprowston it was a cold ride to work every day in winter. My fingers still bear the scars of frostbite.
'There was a joiners shop to the rear, an offshoot of Taylors of Cringleford, Frank was the workshop foreman.
'Also there was Gertie – never did know his real name – an old master craftsman who retired. I remember picking a wood chisel up from his bench and suddenly being hit by a slab of wood for touching. He could do anything with wood and the craftsmen there did much work on church buildings, working with Cecil Upture, an old architect with his office at Cathedral Close.
'John Chittock also worked in the joiners shop; he is my uncle and got me a place there. I remember another joiner, who I think was called David, brought his first second-hand, old Ford; we all went out to admire it, it had some letter missing from the name Consul but it was his pride and joy to own a car back then...
'The first thing I had to do was make my own toolbox; in between being the odd job boy, I remember often fitting new handles to spades and forks.
'The business also had outside carpenters fitting and repairing together with a team of decorators, again some real tradesmen working in gold leaf etc.
'The ironmongers shop always had that smell – if only you could bottle it – wonderful, a mixture of paraffin etc.
'I purchased my first tools in the shop, too much money for an apprentice on £3.10 shillings a week so weekly instalments were allowed.
'One day I had to go out and help a carpenter repair an upstairs roof to a bay window. Not liking heights I was reluctant to climb the tall ladder and was sent back to the yard in disgrace.
'The apprenticeship was five years and the company kindly sent me to the City College on day release. Sadly, when the business was sold the new owners did not want a young inexperienced lad – my apprenticeship was transferred to John Youngs, again a great experience with many long gone tradesmen doing high quality work on banks, when real timber was used. Again, that wonderful workshop was sold to Carter builders and never was the same afterwards.
'I would obviously not want this shop turned into a takeaway, it has links right back to old Norwich and a time sadly gone to the new generations.'
Francis Rutter, 89, of Unthank Road said: 'I moved into my house in Unthank Road in 1955. Burrells was then an ironmonger and I used it infrequently but regularly to get small items of hardware that were not easily obtainable elsewhere.
'A household needs to be able to get small items such as screws, plugs bits of chain etc. and I was used to getting such from Burrells. Unfortunately such small things do not give enough return to keep a shop open, but I have missed it ever since it closed.'
Laurance Blackburn, 57, said: 'I was employed there between 1976 and 1979 – it was my first job after leaving school. It was quite a diverse store selling kitchenware ornaments, tools and garden supplies. Then there was a non-stop demand for paraffin in the winter, filling up containers whilst the snow was covering your back!
'There was also a high demand for candles, nightlights and batteries during blackouts due to power workers striking – an ill wind as they say!
'At the time I worked there they also had a decorating shop which I believe is now an estate agent.'
If you have any memories of the building, email geraldine.scott@archant.co.uk or call 01603 772446 for these to be passed to Mr Jones.
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