PROBABLY the most iconic and loved store in Northwich has closed. Bratts had almost anything the town centre shopper could wish for. A superb selection of just about everything from frying pans to furniture. If you couldn’t find it or something like it in Bratts, you would probably not find it anywhere other than online. And therein lies the problem, not just of Bratts but all brick and mortar stores. Bratts was one of the last true department stores in Cheshire. Browns of Chester and Debenhams, to name two of the competition, have also closed their doors for good. These are massive losses to the county and Bratts in particular.
PROBABLY the most iconic and loved store in Northwich has closed. Bratts had almost anything the town centre shopper could wish for. A superb selection of just about everything from frying pans to furniture. If you couldn’t find it or something like it in Bratts, you would probably not find it anywhere other than online. And therein lies the problem, not just of Bratts but all brick and mortar stores. Bratts was one of the last true department stores in Cheshire. Browns of Chester and Debenhams, to name two of the competition, have also closed their doors for good. These are massive losses to the county and Bratts in particular.
My passion, though, is my collection of brewery trays.
I have been collecting for over 40 years and have appeared on TV on numerous occasions, my favourite being ‘Antiques Road Trip’.
Like most of the British nation, I am currently at home and looking for things to occupy my time.
Richard Percival in his brewery room
- Credit: RICHARD PERCIVAL
In years gone by I was a prolific writer to newspapers all over the country and I was constantly trying to trace brewery trays missing from my collection.
Sometimes I struck gold, but mainly I hit a blank.
With the virus now hitting hard, I thought I’d take the opportunity to try again and see if any of your readers could help me locate an old Ely tray I have been seeking for 30 years.