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Shoppers revisit past of Marks & Spencer store

Shoppers took some time out yesterday to look at a new exhibition at the Birmingham store.

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Shoppers took some time out yesterday to look at a new exhibition at the Birmingham store. It was 105 years ago when Marks & Spencer opened its first Birmingham shop in the city's High Street.

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The exhibition in the High Street store features highlights from the Marks & Spencer exhibition in Leeds.

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Over the years it was extended a number of times but on April 9, 1941 the store was destroyed by a bomb. However, by November 1956 the store had been rebuilt to a total of 42,000 sq ft over two floors and now has a frontage of 73ft.nextpage
Over the years it was extended a number of times but on April 9, 1941 the store was destroyed by a bomb. However, by November 1956 the store had been rebuilt to a total of 42,000 sq ft over two floors and now has a frontage of 73ft.nextpage
Visitors to the store can see merchandise from when it was a penny bazaar such as candles, cotton, string and a pocket receipt book.nextpage
Visitors to the store can see merchandise from when it was a penny bazaar such as candles, cotton, string and a pocket receipt book.nextpage
There is also a replica of a staff uniform form the 1940s and food items with 1950s packaging.nextpage
There is also a replica of a staff uniform form the 1940s and food items with 1950s packaging.nextpage
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A number of staff at the Birmingham store have been working for the company for a number of years. Iris White, aged 61, started working for the company 39 years ago and says times have changed while she has been there.nextpage
A number of staff at the Birmingham store have been working for the company for a number of years. Iris White, aged 61, started working for the company 39 years ago and says times have changed while she has been there.nextpage
"When I started you had to call colleagues Mrs or Miss, you never used their christian name," says Iris who lives in Hall Green. "You were never allowed to roll up your sleeves, there was no make-up other than lipstick and no jewellery apart from your wedding ring and stud earrings."
"When I started you had to call colleagues Mrs or Miss, you never used their christian name," says Iris who lives in Hall Green. "You were never allowed to roll up your sleeves, there was no make-up other than lipstick and no jewellery apart from your wedding ring and stud earrings."