The Sudbury Store

• Sarah Stacey

Written by Amanda Chambers, Heritage Consultant

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c.1940 - 1967

As we mentioned in a previous post it emerged from our archives that there was an O&C Butcher in Sudbury on the Essex border - famous for its historic market town and the home of Thomas Gainsborough.

When I asked former Managing Director Derek Cook about the Sudbury store he mentioned how Owen Butcher (The ‘O’ in O&C Butcher) got it started and the reasons why…

Derek explains:
‘The Sudbury Shop was opened at the beginning of World War Two by Owen Butcher – his thinking was that they might be evacuated from Aldeburgh pending an invasion from the Germans - which seemed extremely likely after Dunkirk and before The Battle of Britain.

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British south coastal sea defence 1940

I believe that Owen’s sister in law lived in Sudbury and knew of a lockup shop which was available on lease. Owen then leased the premises and opened a menswear shop.

As things turned out Aldeburgh was not evacuated, and the Company then had a branch shop in-land.

Stock to the shop was serviced from Aldeburgh by car, road and rail - and anything urgently required was sent via an Eastern Counties Bus which could collect from Aldeburgh at 10.am and be delivered to Sudbury by 4.00pm on the same day.

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A selection of mid 20th century Suffolk buses from the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company

The Sudbury shop was run by the manager Mr. Stead with an assistant.

By 1966 / 67 the company decided to focus all its efforts on the Aldeburgh store, which was busy at the time developing its men’s shoe and clothing departments.

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The location of the Sudbury Store was on King Street, near the market square - we believe in the
former ‘Radley’s Farm Wear’ store pictured here.

Mr Stead was offered a move to Aldeburgh to help manage the Men’s Department but decided to
stay in his home town and take a career change. I had the task of running the closing down sale
and all that entails - including day trips to Sudbury!’

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O&C Butcher advert for Lotus shoes from 9th September, 1965 - The Veldtschoen shoes in the advert were worn by British Army Officers, Farmers and anyone requiring a sturdy shoe which is virtually waterproof. The construction is described as a ‘shoe within a shoe’.

Thanks again to Derek for taking us back in time again!

Links and further interest

 

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