The Nostalgia column with Margaret Watson

This one for instance which shows an artist’s impression of a new J&B’s department store, opened in 1926.

It comes from a faded newspaper cutting and therefore isn’t of the best quality, but I don’t hesitate to use it because I know readers will love it.

J&B’s, which closed down some years ago, was known as “The Busy Corner” and it was always busy with customers coming and going all day long.

The owners spent a fortune on their new store which they equipped with every modern feature available, including an electric lift to all floors.

Their previous store had been in another part of town which was being re-developed and therefore they had been given notice to quit.

They decided to use this opportunity to expand and extend despite the high cost.

Announcing their opening in a full-page advertisement in the Reporter they admitted to customers: “We are putting our last penny on you!”.

To mark the opening, they held a series of mannequin parades, morning, afternoon and evening, at which tea and biscuits were served free.

The following are some of the items on sale: coats, costumes, drapery, dresses, silks, men’s wear, millinery, neckwear, hosiery, gloves, corsets, blouses, robes, underwear, furs, umbrellas and toys.

There was also a cafe.

Today we are seeing the demise of large stores like these – not just in Dewsbury - but all over the country.

If you have memories of J&B’s or worked there, please share them by emailing [email protected].