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| McIlroys closed ten years ago |
FOR 123 years Regent Street department store McIlroys sold everything from buttons to furnishings.
Its plate glass frontage was a landmark in Swindon's shopping centre and its imposing clock tower, demolished in the 1960s for safety reasons, used to be famous.
But then the national boys came to town.
Debenhams, House Of Fraser and the Designer Outlet Centre all set up shop and slowly but surely McIlroys' owners, shops group Mackays, came to the conclusion that its landmark traditional old department store could not compete.
So on January 13, 1998 it was announced the store was to close.
The news caused shock waves in Swindon.
Many of its staff and customers shed tears when the doors of McIlroys shut for the last time on April 30, that year. A decade later the store is still missed.
Now the Advertiser is planning to mark the anniversary of the day its blinds were drawn for the last time.
If you worked there or shopped there and have memories of McIlroys to share, please call our newsdesk on 01793 50180; write to Newsdesk, Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE; or email newsdesk@swindonadvertiser.co.uk.
7:49pm Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: PJACE1, Chard on 8:29pm Thu 20 Mar 08
My nan used to work there back before the 2nd world war,she passed away back in 2002 just a month before my 1st child was born which would have made her a great grandmother her name was Gladys Jennings
My nan used to work there back before the 2nd world war,she passed away back in 2002 just a month before my 1st child was born which would have made her a great grandmother her name was Gladys Jennings
Posted by: GetAJob, Swindon on 9:10pm Thu 20 Mar 08
McIlroys was great. I remember going in there when I was young with my Mum and you could get Christmas presents for just about anyone in the family. The perfumery was at the front, with the huge staircase behind which split into 2 smaller stairs. Upstairs was womenswear and childrenswear. Downstairs was the menswear dept (where Sports Soccer now is) and further on behind was the china, gifts and bedding depts - where the 99p shop is now. Even though it was quite a large shop, the staff in most departments would know us by name and would always ask how we were, even if we weren't making a purchase. That sort of service is long gone - most shop staff now are too busy to help or are just plain disinterested. It was a great shame when it had to close.
McIlroys was great. I remember going in there when I was young with my Mum and you could get Christmas presents for just about anyone in the family. The perfumery was at the front, with the huge staircase behind which split into 2 smaller stairs. Upstairs was womenswear and childrenswear. Downstairs was the menswear dept (where Sports Soccer now is) and further on behind was the china, gifts and bedding depts - where the 99p shop is now. Even though it was quite a large shop, the staff in most departments would know us by name and would always ask how we were, even if we weren't making a purchase. That sort of service is long gone - most shop staff now are too busy to help or are just plain disinterested. It was a great shame when it had to close.
Posted by: Terence, Swindon on 9:19pm Thu 20 Mar 08
It was a fine shop, staff knew about what they were selling. There was a wonderful Santa's grotto at Xmas time on the second floor, much better than the one at Carrefor.
It was a fine shop, staff knew about what they were selling. There was a wonderful Santa's grotto at Xmas time on the second floor, much better than the one at Carrefor.
Posted by: Jenny, Tiverton on 11:48pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I agree with all the comments about McIlroys. The staff were wonderful and you could always that "something special" there. I remember being in McIlroys during the "Planned Power Cuts" in the 1970s and I was just about as far away from the front door and windows as it was possible to get ... when all the lights went out. It was absolutely pitch black but instead of panicking, everyone burst out laughing and we all felt our way along the front of the counters and helped each other find the way out. There was a real sense of camaraderie during that time.
I agree with all the comments about McIlroys. The staff were wonderful and you could always that "something special" there. I remember being in McIlroys during the "Planned Power Cuts" in the 1970s and I was just about as far away from the front door and windows as it was possible to get ... when all the lights went out. It was absolutely pitch black but instead of panicking, everyone burst out laughing and we all felt our way along the front of the counters and helped each other find the way out. There was a real sense of camaraderie during that time.
Posted by: caroline, Adelaide, South Australia on 5:41am Fri 21 Mar 08
My fondest memories are of the giant staircase. At least it seemed pretty big when I was very young. I used to imagine coming down those stairs in a lovely ball gown!!
My fondest memories are of the giant staircase. At least it seemed pretty big when I was very young. I used to imagine coming down those stairs in a lovely ball gown!!
Posted by: ferdy, swindon on 9:42am Fri 21 Mar 08
I remember lots of things like the santa's grotto.. But I really remember buying all my baby things with my mum and my sister going to collect my pram on the day my daughter was born as they kept it in storage for me that was in 1988
I remember lots of things like the santa's grotto.. But I really remember buying all my baby things with my mum and my sister going to collect my pram on the day my daughter was born as they kept it in storage for me that was in 1988
Posted by: Donkey, Swindon on 10:16am Fri 21 Mar 08
Yes indeed, a fine store with character, but I remember it also for the ballroom.
Okay, I am not the world's best musician, and hopefully since the Adver are running this story, more qualified 'entertainers' than I will recall memories of performing in that very ballroom?
I can recollect Monday night, disco nights, where, if you were lucky, a decent local group would have a 45 minute spot during a professional dic jockey's show.
Huge crowds were often in the place and they were usually quite enthusiastic. I know that some pro bands did a spot from time to time, including Amen Corner who often would be there on a Monday before or after my little combo would play there. (1968/69/70? -ish)
It was the place to be for half a crown on a Monday. Lugging Marshall 4 x 12 speaker cabs, amplfiers and drums up that never-ending staircase from the Havelock Street entrance was really a strain. 'Roadies' ... what are they!
Saturday nights were regular dances, I recollect, for the 'older' people?
I saw The Who, around 1965 for five bob, and there were no more than 350 people there, and that was just after 'I Can't Explain' climbed into the charts.
Manfred Mann played there ... and some other band I think their name began with 'B' and their bass guitarist recently had to part with a lot of dough for his second wife's divorce. Just can't remember their name ... anyway, I didn't bother to go and see them at the time, maybe a bit too young?
Traditional Swindon well and truly disappeared along with Mac's!
Yes indeed, a fine store with character, but I remember it also for the ballroom.
Okay, I am not the world's best musician, and hopefully since the Adver are running this story, more qualified 'entertainers' than I will recall memories of performing in that very ballroom?
I can recollect Monday night, disco nights, where, if you were lucky, a decent local group would have a 45 minute spot during a professional dic jockey's show.
Huge crowds were often in the place and they were usually quite enthusiastic. I know that some pro bands did a spot from time to time, including Amen Corner who often would be there on a Monday before or after my little combo would play there. (1968/69/70? -ish)
It was the place to be for half a crown on a Monday. Lugging Marshall 4 x 12 speaker cabs, amplfiers and drums up that never-ending staircase from the Havelock Street entrance was really a strain. 'Roadies' ... what are they!
Saturday nights were regular dances, I recollect, for the 'older' people?
I saw The Who, around 1965 for five bob, and there were no more than 350 people there, and that was just after 'I Can't Explain' climbed into the charts.
Manfred Mann played there ... and some other band I think their name began with 'B' and their bass guitarist recently had to part with a lot of dough for his second wife's divorce. Just can't remember their name ... anyway, I didn't bother to go and see them at the time, maybe a bit too young?
Traditional Swindon well and truly disappeared along with Mac's!
Posted by: Robin Harris, Swindon on 10:28am Fri 21 Mar 08
It was a shop for that something special or oddities you couldn't get anywhere else.
When the council bumped their rent up to drive them out then gave a special deal to the House of Fraser I stopped shopping in the town center. Also now I absolutely refuse to go in the House of Fraser not just in Swindon but anywhere else.
It was a shop for that something special or oddities you couldn't get anywhere else.
When the council bumped their rent up to drive them out then gave a special deal to the House of Fraser I stopped shopping in the town center. Also now I absolutely refuse to go in the House of Fraser not just in Swindon but anywhere else.
Posted by: tsbrett, Swindon on 10:31am Fri 21 Mar 08
McIlroys was great and we still call it McIlroys car park! I don't think that will exist for much longer though.
McIlroys was great and we still call it McIlroys car park! I don't think that will exist for much longer though.
Posted by: ferdy, swindon on 12:06pm Fri 21 Mar 08
we still call it McIlroys carpark and I remember that when you went in the car park entrance there was the hardware dept including kitchen ware and gardening dept
I miss that store I also remember going to get my school uniform there and the cashpoint upstairs and lloyds bank
we still call it McIlroys carpark and I remember that when you went in the car park entrance there was the hardware dept including kitchen ware and gardening dept
I miss that store I also remember going to get my school uniform there and the cashpoint upstairs and lloyds bank
Posted by: DubaiBoy, dubai on 12:24pm Fri 21 Mar 08
It feels like like yesterday that i would go into town as a young boy with my mum, Mcilroys was always on our shopping list, such a shame it no longer exists.
It feels like like yesterday that i would go into town as a young boy with my mum, Mcilroys was always on our shopping list, such a shame it no longer exists.
Posted by: Papillon, Swindon on 12:57pm Fri 21 Mar 08
It was an excellent store, and those stairs were the best!
Unlike donkey I missed out o the ballroom experience, but I remember my older sister seeing Amen Corner, and a few others. We did have headliners coming to Swindon once upon a time!
It was an excellent store, and those stairs were the best!
Unlike donkey I missed out o the ballroom experience, but I remember my older sister seeing Amen Corner, and a few others. We did have headliners coming to Swindon once upon a time!
Posted by: sthornton, Dublin on 3:11pm Fri 21 Mar 08
My father worked there for donkey's years. He would have to go in when it was shut on Boxing day. He had to put up signs in his departments and prepare for the sale that started the next day. He would bring me with him. I remember driving round the upstairs of the closed store in an electric car - every kids dream!
My father worked there for donkey's years. He would have to go in when it was shut on Boxing day. He had to put up signs in his departments and prepare for the sale that started the next day. He would bring me with him. I remember driving round the upstairs of the closed store in an electric car - every kids dream!
Posted by: Paskie, Swindon on 5:13pm Fri 21 Mar 08
McIlroys is legend! The staff were courteous and actually knew what they were selling. The girls in the perfume counter ... ahhh.. such fond memories! That part of town looks like a dive now.. come to think of it.. most of the town centre looks like a dive now. Hiking up their rent forcing them out and giving beneficial rates to the likes of House of Fraser which incidentally must of been where they got their inspiration for 'I Am Legend' ...well done yet again Swindon Borough Council! Next you'll be planning to run a canal through the middle of the busiest part of town! Oooops!!!
McIlroys is legend! The staff were courteous and actually knew what they were selling. The girls in the perfume counter ... ahhh.. such fond memories! That part of town looks like a dive now.. come to think of it.. most of the town centre looks like a dive now. Hiking up their rent forcing them out and giving beneficial rates to the likes of House of Fraser which incidentally must of been where they got their inspiration for 'I Am Legend' ...well done yet again Swindon Borough Council! Next you'll be planning to run a canal through the middle of the busiest part of town! Oooops!!!
Posted by: Thelma & Louise, North Swindon on 6:44pm Fri 21 Mar 08
Oh our fondest memories of McIlroys definately has to be the stair case. When we were kids, our mums used to take us shopping there and well our mums were busy looking around, we would sneak off and climb up and down the grand stair case.
We would have loved to have climbed on the banister and to have slid down it.
THELMA N LOUISE
Oh our fondest memories of McIlroys definately has to be the stair case. When we were kids, our mums used to take us shopping there and well our mums were busy looking around, we would sneak off and climb up and down the grand stair case.
We would have loved to have climbed on the banister and to have slid down it.
THELMA N LOUISE
Posted by: desidna, swindon on 8:46pm Fri 21 Mar 08
Yep! We also still call it the McIlorys car park. I miss the shop so much - you could buy anything and everything for any occasion. I remember coming over from Germany just to shop at McIlorys; my boys loved the staircase too. Those were the days!!!!
Yep! We also still call it the McIlorys car park. I miss the shop so much - you could buy anything and everything for any occasion. I remember coming over from Germany just to shop at McIlorys; my boys loved the staircase too. Those were the days!!!!
Posted by: The builder, Old Town on 8:37am Mon 24 Mar 08
Another fine Building destroyed under the Labour Council.
Another fine Building destroyed under the Labour Council.
Posted by: shirley j huge skeeters, usa on 2:23pm Mon 24 Mar 08
I remember McIlorys It was a fun shop and when the sun shone on those glass doors you couldn't tell wether they were open or closed. My friend and I walked right into them one day...felt so silly but laugh out loud when we smacked right into them.
I remember McIlorys It was a fun shop and when the sun shone on those glass doors you couldn't tell wether they were open or closed. My friend and I walked right into them one day...felt so silly but laugh out loud when we smacked right into them.
Posted by: Fred Elliot, Swindon on 9:43am Wed 26 Mar 08
I wonder if the Advers very own Andy Cryer would have anything to add. If memory serves me correctly his Dad was the General Manager there
I wonder if the Advers very own Andy Cryer would have anything to add. If memory serves me correctly his Dad was the General Manager there
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