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 …
9. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
Following the opening of the second floor, the first floor was now given over almost entirely to fashion. It included 'lots of variety in styles, colours and materials - from coordinates to furs, rainwear to negligees', The Standard wrote. Photo: Boston Standard
10. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
As well as fashions, the first floor was home to such products as lingerie, bridalwear, coats, dresses, and shoes ... and, it would seem, some garden furniture. Photo: Boston Standard
11. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
An alternative photograph to the one above. Photo: Boston Standard
12. Oldrids launch second floor at Boston store in 1975
In opening the second floor, Oldrids had taken further steps to deter shoplifting. After discussing safety measures included as part of the new floor's design, The Standard wrote: "On a more controversial level, Oldrids have also extended the Senelco security system so that it will now cover the majority of merchandise in the store." The system, the paper explained, involved 'special tags' which if not removed from an article of merchandise would activate an alarm in the store. The adoption of the system had been 'remarkably effective' in deterring shoplifting, the paper wrote; however, it had also 'brought its problems'. "And its enemies," it added, dramatically, as a three-word sentence. "Since the procedure depends on a sales assistant removing the tag from any item purchased, the possibility of human error is introduced. An assistant may be hard-pressed, or simply forget, and the system itself cannot differentiate between an 'innocent victim' and a shoplifter." The paper would go on to add, though: "It is not Oldrids' policy to annoy their customers and it is unfortunate that a criminal minority should force stores like Oldrids to take such measures." Photo: Boston Standard