The expansion followed several years of planning and nine months of construction work.
To mark the occasion, The Standard published a 20-page supplement about the new-look store, covering also Oldrids’ other shops in the town centre.
The paper took so many photographs for the piece that we have divided them across two galleries.
Here is the first one …
5. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
The ground floor included wool, carpets, gifts and cards, kitchenware, soft furnishings and the new 'Fogarty Shop'. "With Europe's largest pillow and continental quilt manufacturer having its HQ and factory in the same town, it is perhaps not surprising that Oldrids have always stocked a fine range of Fogarty merchandise," The Standard wrote about the business. "As from this month, customers will now be able to see the whole range in one area with the introduction of the 'Fogarty Shop' on to the ground floor in the main store," it continued. "Shoppers will now be able to see the coordinating selection of quilts, covers, pillow cases, curtains, bath mats and area rugs and seek the advice of the newly appointed Fogarty consultant." Photo: Boston Standard
6. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
Val Halgarth and Pat Clark, chairman and secretary of Oldrids Social Club. Val worked in soft furnishings and Pat was a buyer in dress fabrics, both on the ground floor. Together with Rosemary Isaac, the trio arranged social activities outside work time, as well as the annual staff dinner and dance. With the opening of the second floor came plans to use the restroom and canteen for the likes of table tennis, darts and chess. Photo: Boston Standard
7. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
The ground floor was also home to the new electrical department. Among the items on sale would be freezers, which were growing in popularity, The Standard wrote. "More and more people are looking to home-freezing to introduce household economies through bulk buying of meat and vegetables," it said. "Most recently there has been an upsurge in demand for the fridge-freezer giving the advantages of a freezer and the convenience of a refrigerator in one compact unit." Judging by the mannequins in the background, though, this is a display on the first-floor. Photo: Boston Standard
8. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
John Topley, electrical goods buyer, with some 'brown goods' - the terms used by the trade to cover TVs, hi-fi, radios and tape players, The Standard explained in its supplement. "Smaller colour televisions are proving attractive to those wanting a second set and to those who don't want the 'box' to dominate the room," The Standard wrote. "And if it's complete portability you want with no dependence on mains power, there are nine inch - and smaller - black and white sets which use dry cells or car batteries, so why not take them out in the garden or on a picnic, that's what they're designed for." Photo: Boston Standard