| Mike Laughton |
|
I think most present day Stamfordians believe that Sally Morelands was the town's first supermarket. But I believe the first one was opened way back in the 1950s by Stamford businessman Stanley Atkin.
It was at the western end of St Peter's Street in the premises now occupied by Lambs Calor Gas and hardware store.
Until then Stamford had regular grocers shops where you got served by the grocer. Some of these were quite big and had many employees with several people serving customers. These included two International Stores and the Co-op as well as the Maypole and other similar stores. But Stanley Atkins' store was the first American style supermarket,
Stanley himself was a very shrewd businessman who owned a half-share in many businesses in the town including fish and chip shops. He was a silent partner in many businesses in the the Stamford area. He was like the people on TVs Dragon's Den. If anybody went to him with a good business proposition he would back them financially in exchange for a 50 per cent share in the business.
He lived in a big house near the eastern end of St Peter's Street (southern side). There was a plaque outside which read simply "Stanley Atkin of Stamford".
|
| Roger Partridge |
|
I think Stanley Atkins' supermarket was called ACO and Stanley's house was called Walsoken House.
|
| John Tyers |
|
He was also a seed merchant and it was Walsoken House long before he and his family resided there.
|
| tom mytton |
|
hi don't remember this one but do remember maypole and international and sally moorlands and p&a a and kelhams on st Mary street and the cop op just goes to show Stamford is shrouded in history i love it the more you dig in the more comes up about the town
|
| David Farman |
|
I was born in Stamford and lived in Queens walk, our local shop was the shop you are talking about where Lambs have their shop now , it used to be called Starsmores, I'm talking about around 1957 ish , is this correct ?
|
| Roger Partridge |
|
Ken Ford in his book "Who Traded Where?" confirms that Starsmore had the shop in St Peter's Street from at least 1897, although Ford claims the occupation lasted until the 1970s, Dolby's Directory of 1969 has ACO in occupation. Also at that time there was a Starsmore's newsagents/tobacconists at 14 St Mary's Hill (a shop I remember well) and a Starsmore's grocery and general store on the corner of East Street/Conduit Road (whose son, Neil, I remember from Stamford School).
There is probably a family connection, but possibly not a business connection between the 3 shops.
|
| Jill matthews |
|
Remember being sent down to starsmore's from grandmas house at 36 tin well road. Happy memories of my mothers family home.
|
