Dickens Bros. Do-it Yourself shop in Stockton. Photograph courtesy of Mr Robert Bob Dickens. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Dickens Bros. Do-it Yourself shop in Stockton. Photograph courtesy of Mr Robert Bob Dickens.
Picture Stockton Archive 
I seem to remember you had a store on Mandale Rd Terry??
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The shop in Norton Road Stockton, number 37 and 39 were owned by us Dicken brothers, but we sold the shop in approx 1972. It was altered to offices and is still there, hope this helps you.
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I barely remember this shop, can I ask, is the building still with us today?
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Dear Ian Jenkins. The tall man would be Gordon Hodgson, and my daughter would be either Beryl or Rosemary, and Mr Watsons name was Alan, hope this helps you, thanks for replying. Terry Dicken.
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Dear Terry, I believe I worked at Dickens between 1972 to 1974. I worked in the “Cash and Carry” warehouse, my boss in that department was a tall man named Gordon whos last name now eludes me. I do remember yourself, your brother and another gentleman Mr. Watson I believe. If memory serves me, you also had a daughter who worked there part time. Dickens was my first place of employment and I fully enjoyed working there and have fond memories of those days in England. Take care of yourself. Ian Jenkins
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I also worked for A.Dickens in the Norton Road shop from Sept.1972 to Apr.1973. My job was a warehouse lad in the adjacent building next door which was a former Doctor”s helping to pick orders for the Kitchen units, such brands as Hygena QA and Linden Wood to be delivered to customers around the Teesside area. Also going on the Van rounds. I enjoyed my short time there, but sadly due to my poor time-keeping, I was finished. I remember getting a booklet explaining the history of Dickens, sadly haven”t got it now. I remember 2 men called Bill & Mick who were supervisors. I often pass the building on Norton Road, thinking about them step ladders, extending ladders, dust bins etc that we put out and bring back in each day. Thanks for the happy memories, Terry.
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Dear Ian Jenkins. What year did you work for us,we were there from 1958 to about 1974,I found most of the staff were very helpful, and I think most of them learned a lot, which possibly helped them in future years, as we were the leaders in D I Y, hope you are keeping well and hope you read this, and will reply. Terence.
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I worked at Dickens on weekends while I went to school, then worked there full time for a while before moving to Canada. I have very fond memories of the place and people who worked there.
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terry good to here from you…i remember mrs grace and ted fletcher…i used to work downstairs on the bench saw and recall having to weigh tins of nails…the shop was also connected to the premises next door I remember that some one had just arranged a new display stand and i came up the stairs carrying a piece of hardboard and destroyed it in an instant…YOU WERENT HAPPY…i think bobs young son worked there for a while and then he went to portrack lane.i have put some other comments on photo no t2761…i was a thornaby boy and left not long befor coming to australia…i will keep my eye on this site and if i can remember anything that might jog your memory i will post it…i realy enjoyed my time there…it took some doing from here but i managed to get myself a boro shirt with your logo on it…a treasured item…
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Dear Steven. I cannot place your face at the moment, was Roy Goodman there when you worked in Norton Road, I hope you enjoyed working there as much as I did with Mrs Grace, Ann Millington, Ted Fletcher, Mat Truran and any I forgot, perhaps you could tell me who worked there as well when you were there, it would jog my memmory, hope to hear from you, Terry Dicken.
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I worked for Dickens 1967/1969 and worked both in this shop and the Portrack Road yard great to see that youre all still fighting fit.
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Remember it well. Grandad was a keen DIY man and was always sending me to Dickens on my bicycle to fetch lengths of timber, a couple of pounds of nails or whatever. I invariably forgot at least one item on his list and had to go back for it.
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We bought this shop in 1958 off Harrisons the printers, and put a shop front on, and opened it in 1958, we later bought the house next door where a Mr and Mrs Foley lived, we pulled the house down rebuilt it joined it back together to make a nice big shop, in those days it was a very busy Do IT Yourself shop and customers came from all over the North of England, so poular was the shop, we were there till about 1975, and then closed it, we opened the Portrack Lane store in 1965 [the small side] and the big one in 1970.
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