WALTHAMSTOW: Historic school uniform shop to close (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Historic school uniform shop to close

4:02pm Friday 3rd September 2010 in Your Local Areas By Daniel Binns

A FAMILY-RUN school uniform shop which has been trading since the 1960s is to close down tomorrow.

Independent outlet H. Cook in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, is shutting its doors for good following the retirement of owner Carol Johnson, who is the last remaining member of the family.

Mrs Johnson's mother Peggy Cook opened the shop back in 1968.

Mrs Johnson, 61, said she felt sad about the closure but felt it was "the right time" to do it.

She said: "I've been working here since I was 16, six days a week.

"My brother used to run the shop in partnership with me but he and my father both passed away very close to each other two and half years ago. Since then it's been a bit much on my own.

"I haven't any plans for my retirement but I'm looking forward to being able to do what I want when I want.

"I have lots of happy memories here. You get people coming in who were fitted for uniforms when they were little bringing in their own children.

"The customers have been very nice wishing me luck and bringing in presents. It's always been like a little club here, everyone knows everybody else. It's been very rewarding."

Mrs Johnson, who also ran a H Cook outlet in Wood Street Walthamstow, said she did not know what would replace the shop as a buyer has not yet been found.

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