85 replies to this topic

[Dicky D]

Does anyone remember Lennon's store in Ormskirks Street?

It was opened in the late 60s and was the first supermarket type store to be opened in St. Helens and probably the first in the region.

Lennon's had previously held a string of corner shops. These were sold off to consolidate capital and the Ormskirk Street shop was opened and served St. Helens shoppers for many years. I was newly married around that time and Lennon's became our shop of choice. That's when we were paid with money in brown envelopes called 'pay-packets' and part of it was used to get in the weekly stores. I remember rump steak costing half a crown a pound and a quarter of tea was sixpence.

You might also remember that Lennon's store was on two floors and they had a novel method of taking your shopping trolleys between floors by way of a creeper conveyor. When the store first opened Lennon employed twin teenage boys dressed as bellboys one at the top of this trolley conveyor and one at the bottom. I seem to remember the uniforms they wore being maroon but I will stand corrected.I wonder who these boys where and where are they now?

Edited by lobomoto, 01 November 2010 - 07:38 PM.

[Dave]

Yeah, I remember it - and the escalator thing for the trolleys.

As a little kid I remember all the women talking about going to 'New Lennons'. It stayed 'new' for quite a while. A bit like the 'new' road (the east lancs).

[jmosh]

Does anyone remember Lennon's store in Ormskirks Street lobomoto

If would like to see a photo of Lennon’s Store have a look on drivers & conductor's #82

[Alan]

Do you remember when Lennons took over the Stringfellows grocery shop in the 50s? I keep trying to remember where it was. I think it was on the opposite side of Bridge Street to the market, on the corner with Church Street. It later became a jewellers.

Edited by Alan, 01 November 2010 - 09:40 PM.

[Phyll]

Now this is going to get confusing, there's 2 different threads running on Lennons!
As I said in the other one, I don't remember any other Lennons, but the one in Ormskirk Street.
I loved those escalator trolleys. Hey JMosh, or anyone, can you put the photo on from the Drivers
and Conductors post. I looked at it yesterday, but I don't know how to do it.

[boxkey4]

I remember getting dragged around Lennons in the 60s by my mum,they did have bellboys when it first opened I do remember, and the trolly lift thingy was pretty cool at the time.Was it the same Lennons that had the garage at Haresfinch?

[Carr Millite]

I thought Terry Lennon owned the garage at Haresfinch and he was brother to the Supermarket Lennon.
I stand to be corrected though.

[Olliebeak]

Not sure if Terry Lennon was the brother or son of the Supermarket guy.

After he retired, my grandad used to be the night-guy at Terry's garage in Haresfinch.

[gilly]

Olliebeak, on 03 November 2010 - 09:45 PM, said:

After he retired, my grandad used to be the night-guy at Terry's garage in Haresfinch.

I used to work there on the pumps part time when i wasabout 14ish.About 1972?What was your grandads name?

[bridger]

Just found this about Lennons

http://www.rootschat...;topic=431737.0

[Olliebeak]

gilly, on 03 November 2010 - 11:15 PM, said:

I used to work there on the pumps part time when i wasabout 14ish.About 1972? What was your grandads name?

Hi gilly - his name was Arthur Thompson and he lived in Lingholme Road - but he wasn't there by then. He had his 'BIG stroke' around 1970 and that put him in a wheelchair until he died in 1973.

I'd say he worked for Terry from around 65 - 70 - even went back to working for him after the first couple of strokes (mini ones).

There was one time Terry had bought a new sportscar and was 'jollying around' in it. He went past Queens Park, saw Grandad sitting in the wheelchair watching the bowls and asked him if he wanted to go for a ride. Grandad 'jumped' at the chance, so Terry got him in the car and stashed the folded chair in the back - and off they went................ up the M6 to the most northerly bit and then turned round to come back. In the meantime, Mum came out with a cup of tea for grandad and went ballistic. Had the police out looking for grandad everywhere - dozy beggar hadn't thought to let her know. Like a scene from 'Last of the Summer Wine'.

[Phyll]

[gilly]

I remember Terry very well and some of the stunts he used to pull.He wanted me to stay on to train as a panel beater/mechanic when i left school,but i had my heart set on becoming an electrician and left.There was an old fella did the nights but i can't remember his name,oddly enough i remember Bruce and bess the 2 alsatians

[Dicky D]

gilly, on 03 November 2010 - 11:15 PM, said:

I used to work there on the pumps part time when i wasabout 14ish.About 1972?What was your grandads name?

Then you might know David Ashton from Haresfinch who also worked there around that time.He'd been an apprentice panel beater at the bus sheds until he was made redundant and Terry took him on.

Edited by lobomoto, 04 November 2010 - 11:33 AM.

[gilly]

Can't remember him,but the panel beater was Jimmy Hand and i think the fitter 's name was Rob?