'My life working for Reading's lost high street stores'

Much like the companies that made the town the home of Beer, Bulbs and Biscuits, these familiar shops, found on familiar streets, were what made Reading uniquely Reading for many.

One man who remembers them is Deryk Taylor, from Woodley - because he worked for most.

Deryk landed his first job at Tutty’s in 1955 aged 15, a department store similar to Jackson’s which made up for its small size with a huge range of goods.

Deryk Taylor's confirmation of employment at Tutty's in 1955

He would spend his days measuring suits in the menswear section, while other employees would be selling shoes, toys, furniture, groceries or anything else, really.

“It was strange going from school to work in those days.”

“If you’ve ever watched ‘Are You Being Served?’ it was a bit like that, where it’s a bit formal, collar and tie, started as a junior and then you worked your way up,” said Deryk.

“There’s not many of the old stores left in Reading now.”

Read more: 15 shops you wish hadn't closed in Reading

He was paid 2.6 shillings a week, which he gave to his single mother, Sybil Taylor.

“Although it didn’t sound a lot of money, I used to give it all to my mother because she brought the three of us up,” said Deryk, who has two sisters.

What money he did spend on himself would go to the local ballroom or the cinema.

“You could quite a bit with a pound in those days,” laughed Deryk.

Three years later, Deryk moved on to the Coop where he met his wife-to-be, before working at Alexander’s, John Collier, and Henekey's Wine Bar.

“You just moved from job to job to get a few shillings extra.”

In the 60s he worked with St John’s Ambulance and as a drummer in a band.

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His career would take him to the Mars Factory, Slough, in 1970 where he worked in production for 23 years.

“I go around Reading today and I could cry sometimes. All the old shops are gone or taken over. Unless you go around looking up in Reading you wouldn’t know where you were.”

“It will never be the same again.”