Blackers Department Store, Liverpool

[Heyesie]

Cant really add much to this post other than I have fond memories of Bkacklers myself as a child.
I do remember reading George Harrisons biography though
He said at one time he was an apprentice electrician at Blacklers

[eddiesboy]

seen something recently in a book i think no it may have been a website, stating it started as half a dozen shops in bold street which was historically the bond street of the north look at the daily post site might be something there, positive it was a website  with liverpool pics lots of them broken into groups shops etc

[lesleyhannah]

I remember taking my kids to the grotto, too.

When I first left school I bought my first pair of high heeled shoes at Blacklers - they were by far the cheapest department store in Liverpool at the time. The shoes were a metallic gunmetal colour, with stiletto heels and looooong pointed toes (which I filled with cotton wool) and cost 39/11d (just under £2). My mother thought they made me look like a woman of ill-repute (to put it politely) - I thought I looked fantastic!

Last time I went to Liverpool I noticed there was a pub where Blacklers used to be. I suppose people went more up-market in more affluent times - they wanted designer shops etc. Maybe in the new economic downturn we'll all start looking for the value-for-money and never mind the label sort of shops again.

[eddiesboy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfbZG4y4hQY   everything you need to know

[Dancing Master]

I remember seeing Blacklers and Lewis's still on fire after being bombed.  and  remember both stores after the war when they were re-built,   Messrs  Blackler, Lewis and George Henry Lee would be spinning in their graves to see what has become of the stores.

Of course now no C & A (coats and ats) or Woolies, or Coopers (I loved going in Coopers) and of course Hendersons (I remember that tragedy when people were killed in a fire in that store.

http://www.poem800.com/liver.php?poem=573

[lesleyhannah]

I'd forgotten about the Henderson's fire. It was a very posh shop. I remember if you bought a hat there they put it in a proper hat-box (allegedly - I never actually knew anyone who could afford Henderson's hats!).  Blacklers was a much more friendly store for ordinary people - I always felt Hendersons and Bon Marche were for the 'toffs'.

[Dancing Master]

These are good site regarding the Blacklers store  and other in the City.


http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/exhibitions/blackers/

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/expats/localhistory/2005/09/08/fond-memories-of-memories-working-at-blacklers-50061-15944817/#story_continue

http://www.sjsfiles.btinternet.co.uk/flm030612c.htm

[MaryA]

Yes Blackie wasn't the rocking horse called? then I believe it went to Alder Hey Hospital afterwards.

As  a child  I seem to remember that everything was stored in wooden chests of drawers, and the right size brought out of the correct drawer.

Was the children's department upstairs? I remember going for my Christmas coat and hat, double breasted woolen in blue with a matching bonnet. 

And you just couldn't go anywhere else for your Easter bonnet.

[GWalker]

I had a Great Aunt that worked for Blacklers for most of her working life right up to retirement.  Her name was Majorie Towler.  she was born in Liverpool in 1917 and used to live in Wavetry.