Beatties closure: Express & Star readers share memories of store in its heyday
From days out shopping with family to unrivalled customer service - Express & Star readers gave their memories as Beatties reached the end of an era.
Shoppers also expressed their anger as Beatties became the latest of a number of big name stores to pull out of Wolverhampton.
The Express & Star was flooded with messages after the announcement came from owners House of Fraser.
Its 141-year history appeared to have taken a final decisive turn as generations of people shared their thoughts on the store through the years.
People left their comments via the Express & Star's Facebook and Twitter feeds and also ExpressandStar.com
Richard Dickson spoke warmly of his father John who had worked as company secretary throughout the 1960s until 1973.
He visited the store on several occasions as a child.
Mr Dickson, who lives in Kenilworth, said: "It's a very sad day when it's announced that Beatties in Wolverhampton will close.
"For a young person enjoying shopping may sound odd, but the quality of service, warmth of welcome and attention to detail from staff made the experience pleasurable and something always to be anticipated with excitement.
"When, nearly 18 years ago, I came to work for Staffordshire Building Society - another business sadly also lost - visiting the store was one of the first things that I did.
"My mother and father are very disappointed to hear the news, especially for all the staff.
"There can have been few retail businesses where the needs of customers were held in such high regard."
Vix Heyman said her late grandmother Marjorie Smalley used to work in the Eastex women's clothing department for a number of years, adding: "The store holds a lot of memories for me and my family".
Adrienne Withers reminisced of 'wonderful, fond childhood memories of Beatties' in its heyday.
"The wonderful toy department, the food hall with it's delicious hams and cheeses, the huge rocking horse in the children's clothing department," she said.
"The beautiful wooden doors at the entrance. Hot buttered toast and the most delicious ice-cream upstairs in the cafe and best of all, the book shop.
"Very sad it's closing."
Brenda Potts said the number of big name shops to pull out of Wolverhampton has left the city centre reeling.
"What a shame. No Beatties, no C&A's, no British Home Stores, no TJ Hughes, no Woolworths and so many others gone. Wake up Wolverhampton," she said.
Reader Sharon Parton went on Facebook and said: "To be honest, I haven't been in there since they closed the haberdashery down, it was the only place I used for my supplies in Wolverhampton.
"I got the material for my wedding dress from there.
"It was a magical place for me when I was young.
"Such a shame it is going, but not really a surprise. I feel for the staff that will lose their jobs."
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Reader, Amy Grimley, wrote on Facebook: "I loved working there. I was fortunate to work there, whilst it was still Beatties, on perfumery. It was a great store and we had a great team."
Andy Haddon, added: "Huge department stores are a thing of the past.
"The best thing for Wolverhampton retail would be to turn the building into an independent retail hub.
"Fixed terms and short, but extendable affordable leases for start ups, artisans and entrepreneurs."
Kat Lowe made her prediction for city centre shopping, claiming: "There will just be charity shops, vape stores, pawnbrokers and high street loan sharks."
