Does anyone know when Cobb's department store in Sydenham closed? During a conversation with friends, this came up but although having vague recollections of it being open in the mid-70's, we drew a blank as to when it finally gave up the ghost. Many thanks to whoever can provide the details.
Cobb's began trading in 1861 and finally closed down in 1981.
There was a radio 4 series called the Penge Papers - I was probably too young or not interested to listen to it, but I later read about it, that featured a department store based on Cobbs. Either from that, or from what I heard elsewhere, the staff outnumbered the shoppers. But this was not what influenced Grace Brothers.
Actually just done a search - I am sure this was a radio programme but apparently not.
See
http://forum.sydenham.org.uk/viewtopic.p...3b4bf758a2 if this link works for far more
You're right, BD, Penge Papers has a whole chapter on what the author, Brian Wright, calls "Chubb's". It is a delightful description of the department store in its declining years. And, according to the dust jacket, it was originally broadcast on Radio 3.
I remember the posh tea/coffee shop in the late 50's. It was the place to be seen .
Also they had amazing method of collecting money. The staff had to put cash from shopper in metal cannister which then went up on tracks to the accounts dept in the roof and a couple of mins later the change came back.
Thanks for the information.
I remember going to Cobb's in the early 70's to see Santa & have photos taken. They had a great toy department. There was a great lingerie & make up department too. ahhhh