‘Our very own mini-Harrods’ – your memories of Oldrids in Strait Bargate, Boston.

We were inundated with comments and carry a selection of them below ...

* Liz Scott: “I remember meeting Tom Baker from Doctor Who back in the 70s in Oldrids. I think he was doing a book signing. My mum was a huge fan. I can remember there being a TARDIS next to his desk. Can also remember their wonderful Santa’s grotto. Great childhood memories.”

* Julie Somay: “In 1969, age 11, my mum took me to buy my uniform for Boston High School. Never felt so proud.”

* Callum Butler: “When I was about nine, my nan and grandad took me into Oldrids as they did when we were with them to look at the toys (when Toymaster had the toy department). While looking, Grandad told me I could choose what I wanted for Christmas. I knew what I wanted – it was a K’Nex roller coaster which was huge and cost £99.99. It was all I wanted. We took it to the tills to pay and was asked if I was going to carry it (it was heavy for a nine-year-old). I said ‘yes’. When we got to the stairs I turned to my grandad and said: ‘Grandad, you can carry this’ – so much for me being strong. The Christmas windows with the moving Santas and elves were also the stuff of childhood dreams too.”

* Aliya Ashoor: “Christmas time was always so special – buying presents with my mum, Rita, having a spray of perfume on the way through, soup and a bread roll in the cafe upstairs, looking out over the town. We are really saddened by the news. Boston won’t ever be the same.”

* Elaine Hooper: “My daughter and I always loved Oldrids’ fantastic Christmas window displays. Every year she couldn’t wait to look at them. Our favourite one was the polar bears, penguins etc.”

* Christine Hayes: “When I started working there we were in the old shop and the juniors had to arrive early to sweep the floor with some kind of sawdust? Mr Gus Isaac would be stood at the door checking his watch as you arrived. The only way I could arrive at that time was to bike as I lived in Kirton and the bus would make me late. Long way in the rain! It was also my job to collect the fish and chips from Tate’s on Saturdays because our staff cafe was closed. There’s always been a little pride attached that I worked there. As did my mum and my brother and sister-in-law. They held strong to family loyalty. I’ve kept friends from 50 years that I made back then.”

* Kate Evans: “Loved the place as a teenager. Used to have something to eat there, have my haircut done. Many happy, fond memories.”

* Helen Bedford: “Worked there from 1985 for 10 years – very fond memories of Rodney, Garth and the rest of the Isaac family, who were great to work for, along with lots of fabulous staff who became good friends. There was a supermarket at the back downstairs where the coffee shop is and parking behind it too. We had some fun times at Christmas in the pub where Argos is now. Such a huge shame for the town and everyone that works there.”

* Claire Cassey: “To me, it was part of the magic of ‘old’ Boston, our very own mini-Harrods. I could seldom afford to buy anything in it, but that was the thing: it was lovely to have a mooch around in and experience a bit of retail glamour. I have lovely memories of being taken on occasional treats of meals in the cafe by my grandmother, and the Oldrids ‘smell’ – I just loved the smell, second only to the food hall at M&S and Tate’s.”

* Katie Lawton said: “Very, very sad indeed. Sorry for all those employed there. This was where I had my first ever job, as a waitress in the restaurant when I was aged 15. Worked there for a couple of years on Saturdays and all school holidays. Lovely ladies in the restaurant there. Will always remember the dishwasher machine – used to fascinate me!”

* Christine Vinters: “I worked on the top floor at Sutcliffe travel in the 80s. We were placed opposite the toy department, so I always saw the Christmas toys as soon as they came in and then to the right of us was suitcases run by Rosemary Isaac. It was a nice time there in the 80s. Got my Kitwood uniform from Oldrids in 1967. Someone please save Oldrids – town won’t be the same.”

* Rick Butler: “Buying my first 7in from the record counter in 1981 as a seven-year-old. This Ole House by Shakin’ Stevens.”

* Kate Craven: “My mum’s first job from leaving school at 14 in 1946 was in Oldrids. She met her life-long friend there, Margaret Hancock. So sad for the town to hear it’s closing.”

* Carly Rawdon: “Oldrids is my happy place when I visit Boston. I went there for tea and cake as a kid and loved wandering round the toys and now take my own children to do the same. My family have worked there past and present, it will be such a shame to see it go.” 

* Claire Smith: “The Oldrids hair salon opened up especially on my wedding day for me, my mum Beryl Daffern, sister and other relatives to have our hair done. The whole store was closed as it was the day of Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997. They let us in a back door and made a real, special fuss of us. I only wish I could remember the names of the girls who did our hair so I could credit them here. But if it was you, I’m sure you’d remember, and thank you.”