North London Food & Culture

Wednesday Picture: A personal history of a grocery chain in Kentish Town

Des Whynam can trace his Kentish Town ancestry back to 1844. Here's his personal account of working at a now forgotten chain of grocery stores based in NW5

Delivery Vehicle, Driver Unknown, Spring Place, outside WHP Ltd, Warehouse, poss 1950s/60s
Delivery vehicle, driver unknown, Spring Place, outside the warehouse, poss 1950s/60s

But this role was altogether more grown-up. I was to assist on delivery rounds and work on the loading banks. And all us van boys were assigned to one particular driver. For me that was a Mr Turnball, employee of the old school and such a stickler for vehicle cleanliness that it’s fair to say I never had an idle moment.

The goods for all seventy shops were brought to the loading bays on trolleys packed in tea-chests; entering the Spring Place warehouse for the first time resembled Aladdin’s food cave.

And on returning to our home that first day in St Silas Street, I excitedly told my mother of all that I had seen, only to be reprimanded sharply: “Well that’s all fine and dandy, but don’t expect the same thing here.” Although deflated, it was this kernel of delight that led me to become a shopkeeper and, latterly, take a great interest in the history of Kentish Town.


8 thoughts on “Wednesday Picture: A personal history of a grocery chain in Kentish Town”

  1. Hello Des,

    Great to find someone who not only worked for W.H & P but is also interested in the firm’s history. Did we ever meet? I joined the Company around 1974.

    Kind regards,

    Mike Walton

    1. My Father managed the store in East Lane North Wembley for a number of years, and we lived above the Shop until 1967 when I left home to get married. My Father also ran Wembley,then Ickenham then finally just before he retired Brookmans Park

    2. Hi Mike, I also worked at WH&P. Branch 5, Court Parade Wembley, under Peter Duckworth and Roger Woods. I then went on to manage branch 19, Field End Road Eastcote, until it closed in 1981. I look back at those days with fond Memories; Happy Days!

  2. from Anthony Abrey: I worked in both Golders Green W H & P manager Mr Webb and Falloden Way manager Mr Bull for about four years in total then left to join the
    Civil Service. I enjoyed every moment. Doe anyone have a photo of either of these
    branches?

  3. Great read. My grandad & great uncle (Reg & Eric Saunders) had a dry cleaning shop on Kentish Town high road from 1957 until 1985. My great uncle who’s 84, still tells me great stories about the area, they new everyone, as we all lived in Willis Rd near the baths. It’s now an army surplus shop.

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8 thoughts on “Wednesday Picture: A personal history of a grocery chain in Kentish Town”

  1. Hello Des,

    Great to find someone who not only worked for W.H & P but is also interested in the firm’s history. Did we ever meet? I joined the Company around 1974.

    Kind regards,

    Mike Walton

    1. My Father managed the store in East Lane North Wembley for a number of years, and we lived above the Shop until 1967 when I left home to get married. My Father also ran Wembley,then Ickenham then finally just before he retired Brookmans Park

    2. Hi Mike, I also worked at WH&P. Branch 5, Court Parade Wembley, under Peter Duckworth and Roger Woods. I then went on to manage branch 19, Field End Road Eastcote, until it closed in 1981. I look back at those days with fond Memories; Happy Days!

  2. from Anthony Abrey: I worked in both Golders Green W H & P manager Mr Webb and Falloden Way manager Mr Bull for about four years in total then left to join the
    Civil Service. I enjoyed every moment. Doe anyone have a photo of either of these
    branches?

  3. Great read. My grandad & great uncle (Reg & Eric Saunders) had a dry cleaning shop on Kentish Town high road from 1957 until 1985. My great uncle who’s 84, still tells me great stories about the area, they new everyone, as we all lived in Willis Rd near the baths. It’s now an army surplus shop.

Leave a Comment

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