John Lewis Norwich store celebrates 40 years with exhibition

Bonds in All Saints Green officially became John Lewis on February 1, 1983 - although it wasn't until 2001 that the name officially changed on the curved building, which opened in the early 1950s.

Thursday's ruby anniversary event unveiled an exhibition which will be on display until the end of the year.

John Lewis partners celebrating the store's 40th anniversary in February 2023 - Picture: John Lewis (Image: John Lewis)

READ MORE: The remarkable history of retailer Bonds/John Lewis

Christine Chettleburgh, 76, worked at John Lewis from 1983 until her retirement in 2003.

Both her parents worked at Bonds - as did her grandson at John Lewis after her - with her family living in All Saints Green from 1956 until the house was demolished to make way for the store's car park.

Retired partner Christine Chettleburgh celebrates 40 years of John Lewis in Norwich. In a exhibition photo behind her is her father also working for the brand - Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

"John Lewis was so different," she said.

"Everything felt unusual and new. Most of us had never heard of John Lewis before.

"I made lifelong friends and we enjoyed lots of social occasions."

Mandy Tayt, a partner who has worked at the store for 48 years, cuts the cake to celebrate John Lewis' 40 years in Norwich with long serving partners Wendy Doggett and Ian Hopkins - Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

Adrian Vincent joined Bonds from the age of 18 in 1980 until taking early retirement in 2019.

He remembers Toyah Willcox filming for Tales of the Unexpected's Blue Sapphire episode in the store.

"Although it was only 30 seconds of it on screen, she filmed here all morning," said Adrian.

Adrian Vincent, who worked at John Lewis - and formerly Bonds - from 1980 to 2019 - Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

"I spent the entire time loping around in the hope that I might get in the episode."

Mandy Tayt is one of the store's longest-serving employees, celebrating 48 years this October.

The 64-year-old hopes to retire in 2025 after reaching 50 years of service.

Mandy Tayt hopes to stat at John Lewis until 2025 to celebrate 50 years working at the site in All Saints Green - Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

"I remember the escalators going in," she recounted.

"I came in especially on that day - it was my day off - just to see them installed.

"It's a lovely store and I love working here."

John Lewis Norwich branch manager Annie Macdonald speaks at the ruby anniversary event on February 23, 2023 - Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

The new exhibition space houses images, artefacts and a video with former staff - known as partners internally - sharing their memories.

There is a memory book where customers and partners past and present can leave their reminiscent words, with the store welcoming donations of photos and early items for the display.

Bonds in All Saints Green, Norwich, 12 February 1965 (Image: Archant)

The Bonds sign being taken down from John Lewis in 2001 (Image: Archant)

The audio department 40 years ago - Picture: John Lewis (Image: John Lewis)

TVs for sale in John Lewis, Norwich - Picture: John Lewis (Image: John Lewis)