Category: Lost Shops

Sent from (not too) Coventry

Arthur Harrison, now 73 year-old, has run hardware shops for over 50 years has decided to hang up his overalls for good. Arthur has been well known on the DIY circuit, having run shops in his home city of Coventry, and a lot longer here in Kenilworth. He has run Buyrite in Kenilworth for over three decades, but he says he cannot actually remember the year he started (it was 1991 we are reliably informed) but says the time has come for him to retire, which has been forced upon him.

Shop to be Re-developed by Landlords

The landlords are apparently going to re-develop the site into flats and a shop below. Over the years Buyrite has had three premises, two in Talisman Square and the present one in Station Road.

“They have made up their minds, but I’m okay with that. I feel like it’s the right time for me to retire”. Arthur said he has decided to move on and so it’s come at just the right time for him. “I can’t say anything bad about the landlords because they have been good to me over the years I’ve been here”.

“It will be a sad day when I finally close because I really do like the customers here in Kenilworth. It’s a really nice place to have a shop”.

Like most businesses which are about to close, he expects a busy last few weeks before the shutters go-up, which was originally set for 25th March, but was extended by the landlords for a month. They even opened on Sundays to help get rid of the stock. “Takings are already up now they know I’m going!” he laughed.

He added, saying he had been really well supported by people of Kenilworth. Everyone, seemed to like me.

‘Arthur’s Food Store’, was his first shop in Stoney Stanton Road back in 1969. He then moved to Hexworthy Avenue in Styvechale, before coming to Kenilworth 30 odd-years ago.

Wilco Did Buyrite a Favour

The arrival of Wilkinson’s (now Wilco) dead opposite in 2011, actually helped his shop’s fortunes. It did him a great favour. If Wilco haven’t got something, people would just walk across the road and see if he had it in stock. If not, Arthur would always say “We’ll have it in by Monday”. Wilco, without doubt increased Buyrite’s footfall.

His wife Sue, four children and one grandchild will now be able to see more of him now he’s in retirement. The people of Kenilworth, however, reacted with sadness to news of the shop’s closure.

Kenilworth Vibes Goes ‘Viral’

Cyril Hobbins, a well-known Kenilworth resident wrote; “I shall pop in for ‘Four Candles’ before you shut the shop for good”

Ann Hunt – “So sad yesterday to see Arthur putting up ‘closing down’ posters in his window. He has been an absolute stalwart of the local retail landscape for so many years. I for one will miss him!”

David Ian Ball – “This is sad news, by far the best shop in Kenilworth!”

Bev Clifford – “The council moved him about due to ‘knocking’ down buildings but Arthur took it all in his stride and carried on. His humour and cheerful nature will be another great loss to Kenilworth. Good luck to retirement”

Melanie Lawrence – “That’s so sad to hear. I’ve lived in Kenilworth for over 30 years and he has always been there and always so friendly and cheerful. Will be so strange not to see him there”

Kath Shortley – “Happy retirement Arthur, you deserve it. You were a good neighbour to Alec and myself at Juteronomy. All the very best. You will be missed in the town”

Marianne Dawn – “Oh no! Love that shop and Arthur. In that Aladdin’s cave, he knows where everything is as well”

Michaela Franklin – “Sad news, grew up with his shop by my nan’s house in Styvechale. Was always nice to know, when he was in Kenilworth if you ever needed that ‘thing‘ you couldn’t get anywhere else”

James Fletcher – “The only person who can find a needle in a haystack”

Sare Scooby Tabor – “Ooh, Mr Arkwright we will miss the banter, you are a legend. Your two beautiful daughters have worked so god damn hard, credit to you”.

In the last few weeks before closure Arthur was literally selling everything, even the shelving and the till had to go. By the last day of trading the shop was virtually empty but his daughter Louise indicated that any leftover stock would be donated to charity.

Shutters Go Up

Due to illness, Arthur was unable to attend the shop for the last couple of weeks of trading. His daughters took charge of the shop during this period. But he was able to attend on the final day of trading, Saturday 29th April 2023. As usual he had a big smile on his face!

Photo courtesy of Cyril Hobbins

Buyrite is not the only business closing in the town. Magenta Wallpapers, HSBC, Top Drawer, Kenilworth Carpets, Western Carpets and Estate Agents, Sheldon-Bosley-Knight have all gone. Sylvesters the Jewellers, in Talisman Square will also be going later this year.

How many more will close? But wait, we might be in luck – Wetherspoons are on their way……..

May 2023

Sadly, Arthur died on 4th August 2023, and his funeral took place at Cannon Hill Chapel, Canley Crematorium on 21st August.

The Railtons were a Banbury based family whose main business was farming, but also owned a shoe shop in the town which was run by manager, Solomon Shrimpton. They then decided to open other branches at: Chipping Norton, Buckingham and Kenilworth.  To manage the shop at Kenilworth they entrusted Solomon Shrimpton’s son, Ernest, who had been gaining experience of the shoe trade at their Banbury shop.

Born in 1880, he had married Nellie Louise Judge at Banbury in 1904, and bought her to Kenilworth, and they settled into married life living above the shop.  They had one child together, a daughter called Nellie.  The Railtons had taken over the shoe shop of Herbert Wridgway at No. 10, The Square (now Enhanced Mobility). Within a short time, the business had moved into the larger shop next door at No. 6, (presently the Tree House Bookshop), where it became a permanent fixture in the town.

Following the sudden death of Henry Hill Railton, when he was only 46 years-old, Ernest was able to purchase the business from the Railton family, concluding the deal on 27th May 1915. He paid them £1,840-12s-6p for the business, with a loan of £1000 over a seven-year period, a loan he actually got from the Railton family, such was their trust in him.

With WW1 now into its third year, the Army was on the look-out for new recruits, and town’s like Kenilworth were being targeted. At a tribunal in November 1916, Ernest was spared conscription as he was considered to be unfit for military service, instead he was granted a munitions order.  This made him work 36 hours-per-week, and he ended up working at the Coventry Ordnance Works, in Stoney Stanton Road, where some of the heaviest British guns were made during the war.

Ernest also (for a period) had a shop in New Street, but the year is unknown. He may well have moved there temporarily for some reason. It could also have been while the main shop was having some refurbisments, or he may have just trying out another shop in town, seeing if it might work. As can be seen, it was a much smaller shop than the one at the Square.

He was obviously a very shrewd businessman, promoting his footwear at every available opportunity. He organised many window displays at other businesses, like at the Building Societies, and also at dinner and dance functions etc. He sold a wide variety of footwear, including many different brands, including: Clarks, Norvic, Lotus, Mascot and Delta.  He was a regular advertiser in many local newspapers, so he knew the value of advertising, and it obviously worked for him.

In 1930, Ernest attended an coroner’s inquest, concerning the death of 67 year old Thomas Owens of Roseland Road, who had been an employee of his for 16 years.  He had taken his own life by drowning in the River Avon at Warwick, following the death of his wife two days earlier, and was seemingly un-able to cope with his loss. He had been plagued with leg problems since infancy, he was also suffered from bouts of depression.

The “Boot Business” was obviously thriving, and by 1936, Ernest had saved enough money to purchase a sizeable plot of land at Abbey End, where he had a house build. He and Nellie would stay there for the rest of their lives. The house he built still survives today, and is located in the area of the present day Mulberry Court.

The shop was damaged when the landmine was dropped on The Square/Abbey End in 1940. Soon after, Ernest decided to sell the business to the Norvic Shoe Company, who were a large footwear manufacturer based in Norwich and Northampton. They had numerous shops around the country, and Kenilworth was a good addition to their business.

The sale of the business gave him the opportunity to retire at the age of about 60, giving him time to concentrate on his interests.  He had a great passion for crown green bowling, and spent many happy hours on the green in the Abbey Fields (now a children’s play area).  He was a long-standing committee member of the Tennis & Bowls Club, and by 1965, at the age of 85, he was the only original member left.  In his younger life, he liked keeping fit and was very keen on gymnastics, and cross country running.  His other interests included football, and was a keen supporter of Coventry City, and watched them for many seasons.  He was a firm believer in supporting your local team.

In 1953, he was at the diamond jubilee celebrations of his former school, Banbury Grammar. Over 1000 past and present pupils attended, and one of the dignitaries in attendance, was none other than MP for Stratford, John Profumo.

Along with Charles Randall, he was a founder member of the Kenilworth Conservative Club. Indeed, he was in attendance during their 50th anniversary celebrations at the club in 1964.  The event was reported in the 6th November edition of the Kenilworth Weekly News, and the catering was put on by fellow member Mr Fancott, of the Fancott’s Bakery.

The name Railton, remained above the shop until about 1958 (probably for commercial reasons), then the Norvic name eventually appeared.  In was around 1967 that Norvic eventually closed, and the premises were taken over by horticultural & pet food supplier, F. W. Hodgskins. The property has since been the, Picture Shop, and presently, the Tree House Bookshop.

Nellie died in 1969, aged 92, but Ernest lived for another eleven years, passing away in 1980, he was just over 100!.  He had enjoyed, the best part of forty years in retirement.