Bedford
Shops - General
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Where to buy at Bedford: an illustrated local review
1891
(Extracts)
Bedford Premier Shops
Messrs. Atkins
and Smith
The Bedford Supply Stores, 121 High Street
Previous to 1885, there was carried on at 121, High Street, a high-class family grocery and provision business under the proprietorship of Mr. Atkins. For many years, this business had enjoyed the confidence of the leading families of the district, and during its long career had established a high reputation. In 1885, however, Mr. Smith became a partner, and the name of the firm was altered to Atkins and Smith. This latter gentleman having had wide experience in London and elsewhere, saw at once that on the foundation laid .by Mr. Atkins, a superstructure of extraordinary magnitude could be raised, and applied himself to the task. Taking for their basis the principles and prices of the Army and Navy Stores, Messrs. Atkins and Smith entirely reconstructed the business. The room at command was speedily found to be utterly insufficient for the requirements of this new under- taking, therefore considerable additions were made to the High Street premises, and in 1887, capacious stores in Lurke Street were built, which, in spite of the head- shakings which pessimists indulged in, are even now too cramped to hold the enormous bulk of goods continually being turned over. Mr. Smith has had the pleasure of seeing his most sanguine anticipations realised, and has built up a business which can compete successfully with both London houses and co-operative associations. We cannot give in these columns a full description of this large concern, but a few details will perhaps be found interesting.
Notwithstanding the bustle and activity necessitated by an undertaking
of such magnitude, customers can rely upon their orders being carried out
exactly as they are given. Every item when chosen is marked on a separate
and numbered duplicate order-sheet, the duplicate being affixed to the
articles selected. These are placed in baskets numbered from 1 to
9-denoting the several rounds-and the bills are given into the order room,
where the goods are got ready for their several destinations. Upstairs a
large staff of assistants is busily employed in making up goods into
parcels of different weights from the bulk, the executive department being
thus supplied with every-thing in stock, so that orders are put up
with-out the slightest delay. Upstairs also is an improved machine for
roasting coffee, the berries being roasted and ground in a perfectly fresh
condition. Here we may mention
that in one year 112 order books, each containing 250 order-lists in
duplicate, are used, shewing that the departments are in a phenomenally
active condition. From the High Street premises we make our way to
the Stores in Lurke Street, where all goods as they come from the wholesale
markets are received, and from which the making-up department is kept
supplied. Under these stores are the wine, spirit, and ale cellars, where
all liquors sold by the firm are bottled. Some splendid Vintages are here
maturing, choice 1887 port and sherry , and some grand old brandy of 1865
being quite sufficient to denote the quality of the stock. At the rear of
the stores is the bottle-washing room, where the bottles are thoroughly
cleansed by machinery; here, too, we find the fruit-washing department, an
ingenious machine being used to clean and dry the fruit. In Lurke Street also are the stables and coach-houses, from which the delivery vans are
started four times a day. Throughout the whole, the most perfect system of
management prevails. As Messrs. Atkins and Smith issue a catalogue of
nearly 200 pages, the futility of endeavouring to detail the stock is at
once apparent, but we may mention three specialities; first, the light
dinner ale, secondly, the whole-fruit jams and marmalades specially made
for the firm, and thirdly, the noted teas; on this last item, Mr. Smith
particularly prides himself, his large acquaintance with tea-growers and
importers, and extensive knowledge of tea-blending, enable him to offer
better value than any other house in Bedford. The "Bedford" (registered) tea is highly in favour; it is composed of the finest
growths of India and Ceylon. Indian "Self" teas can be had in any variety desired by those
accustomed to drink particular kinds. Other specialities are concentrated
tablet jellies, " Perfected " corn flour, " Bedford "
relish, and "Bedford" coffee mixture. Prices are based on London
store lists.
