Memories of New Look in Weymouth

Part of the fabric of the town, New Look opened its first store in St Mary Street 51 years ago, before moving to its current premises in New Bond Street. The chain also has headquarters at Mercery Road and is a major local employer.

Come February, New Look will be in Weymouth no longer after the landlord decided to exit the lease early.

It seemed timely therefore to share some of our memories of shopping in New Look in Weymouth. This is what you told us.

Dedicated shopper Theresa Jenkins-Teague told us: "I always liked to think I contributed to the global success of New look as I was practically spending all my student nurse monthly wage in their first shop which was near the town-bridge side Tescos."

For Jo Thomas New Look allowed her to keep us with all the fashions! She tells us: "It's a sad day hearing this news. I bought my first pair of fashion jeans, drainpipes with the white piping down the side of the leg, when their first shop opened in St Thomas Street, opposite where Iceland was. Tracey Felton loved those jeans. If I remember rightly, we both had a pair."

Tracey said she used to work at New Look when it had a store on the seafront.

Thanks go to Julie Dean for sending us this photo of her daughter Emma taking part in a New Look model competition on Weymouth beach in May 1990.

She tells us: "When New Look launched their new 915 brand, they advertised for local children to apply to be the Face of 915. My daughter Emma Dean applied and was selected following an interview and forwarding photos.

"At the launch on Weymouth beach in the Spring of 1990, by the Alexandra Gardens, the girls were involved in a photo shoot, modelling the 915 spring wardrobe and filming.

"Emma meet another local girl Grace Culpin at the modelling event, and they have remained great friends, and we often remiss about the launch of the 915 brand. They are now great friends and have enjoyed many holidays together and are always supporting each other through the ups and downs of life.

"At the end of the launch event, they were presented with photographs of their modelling and were allowed to pick an item of clothing from the launch products, I can remember Emma picked a pink imitation leather jacket.

"We were all very proud of her, on becoming one of faces of the launch of The 915 brand."

The first New Look shop at St Mary Street was founded in 1971 by Tom Singh and his wife, with offices above the premises.

Reader Zena Shackleton recalls: "I remember Mrs Singh had a stall at Weymouth market before her first shop. They were self made entrepreneurs and lovely people."

Jennifer Biggs remembers the kindness of New Look founder Tom Singh. She tells us: "At the time I was being brought up in deepest east Devon, Mr Singh called at our way out in the wilds farm at least twice a year, always bought our sandals (me) and balaclavas (brothers) plus whatever other clothing that was required at a price mum could afford. A really lovely man, whose visit was much anticipated and appreciated."

Joanna Caswell also has fond memories of the Singh family. She says: "Growing up I was best friends with Anna Singh, Tom Singh's daughter and we are still in touch. I remember the first shop and I remember the first car phone he had - I called my mom! Gosh how times have changed. I spent many a night at their mansion, their Granny cooked the best traditional curry."

New Look employee Evelyn Jolliffe says: "I started work in New Look's first warehouse in 1969 when they opened the first shop in town in Weymouth. I worked there on and off in all depots for 16 years until ill health forced me to leave. I still have a bottle of champagne that Kuljit gave me when she retired."

A gift from New Look holds special significance for Carol Davies. She said: "Many years ago I was given a lovely pearl necklace there as a birthday present by my boyfriend who later become my husband. It was such a special gesture and I will never forget that day."

She adds: "I'll miss the friendly staff inside, the lovely clothes, the range of clothes and it being a good place to get presents."

Mary Richmond said: "I remember the original shop in my home town of Wellington, Somerset, plus before that the owners great grandad coming round Wellington selling various items out of a suitcase a few years before they opened that shop. They deserved every success, they had a hard working family."

Hazel Savage recalls: "I worked in the seafront shop before the two in town and went on to become a buyer, trouble shooter and replacement for managers in Poole and Boscombe."

Thanks to you all for these wonderful memories.