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Memories of one of Warrington's best-loved lost shops

Gay Miss was housed here
Gay Miss was housed here

IN the 1960s it was one of the most popular shops on the high street of Warrington.

And lots of you have happy memories of working or shopping in Gay Miss, which while a new shop was part of the Co-op group.

Kathryn Skinner began working there as a Saturday assistant 1960-61.

She said: " The clothing was modern and targeted the teenagers.

"I had to start work half an hour before it opened and the Manager would choose one of the garments which she wanted to promote and I would wear that for the day. I loved that part of the job.

"There would be the latest pop music playing over a speaker (Only the Lonely by Roy Orbison was one that comes to mind).

"The ground floor had a stocking bar, an underwear section, the cheaper clothing and we also sold tickets for dances.

""The first floor had the more expensive garments and the fitting area, which was sectioned off by a curtain.

The top floor was the stockroom. Part of my job was to open these long cardboard boxes and bring the clothing down to be priced and displayed. I had to bring the empty boxes down 2 flights of extremely narrow and steep stairs, take them across the road to the rear of the Co-op basement where they would be handed over to be put in an incinerator.

"I worked there for a year while at the Warrington Technical College in Palmyra Square. It was always extremely popular and busy on a Saturday. Hard work but happy days."

Sandra Syers meanwhile was a keen shopper who remembers the place fondly.

She added: " After leaving school at 15 I was employed at Jays Furnishing stores in Bridge street as office junior.

"I walked to work each day passing Gay Miss in Sankey Street.

"I saw one day in the window a pinafore dress and top for 19/11p. I went in to ask if they could put it away for me at 5/0p per week for dour weeks, I was earning £2.10.0pw.

"My mother gave me back five shillings a week pocket money. I collected the outfit after I finished paying for it and felt like a million dollars, this was the first thing I bought out of my own money. Dour years later my wages increased to £4.0.0p per week still at Jays. Happy Days.