CHINGFORD: Sadness over popular store closure (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHINGFORD: Sadness over popular store closure

9:25am Friday 18th June 2010

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CUSTOMERS have paid tribute to a landmark shop which is closing after trading in Chingford for 100 years.

Much-loved Uglows in Station Road will shutdown the family business when owner Peter Uglow retires at the end of July.

The home furnishings and clothes business was established by Mr Uglow’s grandparents in 1910. He said there had been a “tidal wave of emotion” since news emerged that the store would cease to exist.

Mr Uglow said: "I was surprised to find we had over 11,000 names on our customer database and that is just a snapshot of the present.

“I can't imagine how many people have walked through the door in the last 100 years.

"It's always sad to see old high street names disappear but my time is up and the next generation have carved out careers of their own. I will seriously miss our customers and staff."

The 61-year-old added that sufggestions Tesco was due to take over the premises was just “one of many rumours”.

"The person who is taking it is known locally but he has asked me to keep it under wraps. It will be retail use but it won't be curtains and furnishings," he said.

The Guardian has spoken to a number of customers, who were keen to pay tribute to the shop.

Margaret Gwatkin, 62, of Willow Street, Chingford, said: "It has been in north Chingford for donkey's years, it's such a shame.

"It's the sort of place people travel from miles around to go to, it will definitely be missed."

Liz Langrish-Smith, 58, of The Glade, Woodford Green, said: "I have been shopping there for 20 years and they always gave such wonderful service.”

"I have quite an unusual shape window and they went the extra mile and made me a blind which fitted perfectly."

Mrs Langrish-Smith said there were not enough independent stores like Uglows anymore, calling the closure the "end of an era".

Sue Smith, 58, of Roebuck Lane, Buckhurst hill, said she was surprised when she heard the business was closing.

She added: "They have always had a very solid reputation and I have used them over about 20 years for carpet and furnishings.

"They had really good staff and because it was so personal you always went back.

"It makes you wonder what will happen to Chingford as it can't survive as a shopping area with mainly coffee bars and restaurants."

Debra Packford, of Theydon Bois, who owns Packfords Hotel in Woodford Green, said: "It's tragic. They supplied carpets for the rooms and bed linen, all sorts.

"They have been absolutely brilliant and it was a pleasure going in there.

"I have known Peter since he was a teenager and I could not fault his store. I wish him well."

After opening in Station Road, Mr Uglow’s grandparents Frank and Louisa expanded the company through two world wars until Mr Uglow’s father and uncle, Kenneth and Dennis, took over.

At its peak the company had five shops in Station Road, selling carpets, soft furnishings, linens, fitted bedroom furniture, beds, ladies wear, lingerie, menswear and shoes.

Peter joined the business in 1972 after studying interior design and furnishing at college and gaining high-end retail experience in West End department stores.

At its peak the company had five shops in Station Road, selling carpets, soft furnishings, linens, fitted bedroom furniture, beds, ladies wear, lingerie, menswear and shoes.

A closing down sale starts next Friday (June 25).

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