#6 of 20 star objects - Taylors Shop

This time rather than focus on just one object, this post will look at an exhibit in the Museum as a whole.
If you have ever visited the Museum you will understand why this display is one of our most talked about, and a favourite with the public; number 6 for our star objects is the Taylors Shop display.  Designed to resemble the drapers shop in Trowbridge in 1940’s, it starts lots of conversations and reminiscing with visitors of all ages.

Albert Taylor opened his drapers shop at 8 church walk in 1869 on the 16^th May. He sold a huge variety of goods from buttons and thread to underwear, stockings and millinery. Clothing for women and children were also sold, as were household linens furnishings and fabrics...even linoleum!

The shop was very successful and by 1895 it relocated to number 13 Church walk which was a larger premise. The shops popularity did not waver and 8 years later the shop spread to number 12 as well, causing the shop front to span from church walk into Market Place.

By 1903, Albert’s son, Albert Charles Taylor, had joined the business and the shop became known as ‘A Taylor and Son’.

By the time war was declared in the autumn of 1939 the shop was flourishing with a staff of about 10. Sadly Albert suddenly died in November 1939, Miss Gwen Hill, already a member of staff at Taylors, stepped in and became the shop manager. It was around this time that a hairdressing salon was established upstairs and continued until the 1960’s.

For the next 50 years Taylors continued to supply the needs of not only the local customers but also shoppers from further away, mainly due to the ‘Country Service’ that was established for customers in outlying areas and the surrounding villages of Edington, Bratton, Holt and Staverton.
Specialised items of haberdashery were becoming increasingly difficult to find and with new developments in packaging and marketing it was not easy to buy just an odd button or a few inches of tape. 

Shop display in the Museum

When the shop finally closed in 1986, it was sadly missed by many. It was because of this that Trowbridge Museum felt it important to celebrate Taylors with an interactive exhibit.
As you stand in the display you can touch the old till, see the over head wires used for customer’s orders and experience the different fashions and fabrics of the time.