With the arrival of supermarkets, and the opening in 1954 of Sainsbury’s self-service store at 250-254 Kentish Town Road, the reign of the multiple grocers like Walton, Hassell & Port Ltd, had come to an end.
The original company name Walton, Hassell & Port still exists, yet it’s now focused on property development under the sole ownership of family descendant Michael Walton.
And as for the Gaisford Street corner shop in the picture? Why, that finally closed in 1969 and today it’s a branch of the Tanning Temple.
Next time: follow Des as he begins his career in the retail trade.
Words & Photographs © Des Whyman.
Shoulder Of Mutton Field, a brilliant insight into the retail butcher’s trade in Camden by Des Whyman, is out now on Nottingham University Press
8 thoughts on “Wednesday Picture: A personal history of a grocery chain in Kentish Town”
Fascinating. My parents had two grocery shops in Kentish Town – Hoyles.
They moved away in about 1960.
Where were the two shops located?
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
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
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!
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?
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.
The chap in the picture is Lenny goldsmith .