The Blacketts Building was a result of several extensions and improvements to a former warehouse. It was the largest emporium of its kind in the area. It was four stories high with a rear extension of 150 feet. In 1942 Blacketts took over the corner site belonging to the Cash Clothing Co, though this corner site was demolished September 1973 as seen in the photograph.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
My mother payed into a card club, the lady coming to collect each week. She rode a pedal cycle. It was for my mother to be able to buy from that card at either Blacketts and Robinsons.
My aunt worked at Blacketts before she got married. That would be in the 1940’s. My Nanna shopped at Blacketts for special clothes etc. I just remember that I was never allowed to touch anything.
I remember visiting my dad who was the then landlord of the “Spread Eagle” in Dovecot Street and early one morning about 5:30am there was a mighty crash when all the scaffolding around Blacketts collapsed.
Another picture of Blacketts here…
http://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2006/03/21/blacketts-department-store-c1946/
Joan Mines (nee Carr) is my Aunt and still lives in Canada.
As kids we were always told that Blacketts Father Christmas was the real one and Robinsons was not.