A woman who has worked at the site of Jones Bootmakers in Ipswich for the last 45 years says she will be ‘sad to see the doors shut for the last time’ when it closes on Monday.
Vanessa Jacobs, 61, started working in the Buttermarket shop in 1972 straight out of school, when it was known as Alderton’s.
After a fire devastated the building in August 1992, Jones the Bootmaker took over the space, keeping Mrs Jacobs, who worked in the children’s department, on the payroll.
Jones Bootmaker is set to close on Monday, August 14, as part of a number of closures nationwide.
Mrs Jacobs said it had been a joy working at the shop, especially the friends she has made with staff and customers.
“When I started in 1972 when it was Aldertons, it was really old fashioned,” she said.
“The American bases were around then so we had a lot of them coming in and giving us tips.
“All our stock was on the shelves in the shop floor back then, all stacked up high.
“We had to climb ladders to grab the shoes and had high-backed high chairs so we could fit customers shoes for them.
“We used to have an x-ray machine at Alderton’s that took photos of the bones in your feet.
“I don’t think they would allow that now.
“We also had an old boy upstairs doing repairs.
“I just loved being in the children’s department.
“I have seen generations grow up from babies to adults.
“So many people have been coming in to say how sad it is the shop is closing. It is a crying shame for the town.
“Everyone here had been lovely to work with.
“We have had some brilliant managers over the years at Jones.
“We had a man called Tony Russell, he was a lovely manager, and before that Gary Nicholson.
“It is the people and the customers I will miss.
“It will be sad to see the doors shut for the last time.”
Mrs Jacobs said she is planning to ‘take a breather’ before she decides what to do next.
Assistant manager Peggy Gardner, who has worked at Jones for seven years, added: “It is the families we will miss.
“They come in three times a year for school shoes - you get to see them grown up.”
Jones Bootmaker were unavailable for comment.
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