WHERES LULU

Where is she? Well Lulu is still nowhere, I am thinking of renaming the column, Theres Lulu, still in her pyjamas and counting beans out of boredom, it’s not quite as catchy but quite true.

Fabulous news has surfaced about a brand new micro pub opening up at the old Rowell’s on the High Street. The former haberdashery still has branches in Eastwood and Stapleford but the Long Eaton store closed in June 2019, after over 100 years trading at the site, due to the owner Bob Marshall wanting to retire, he was the third generation of his family starting with his great Uncle in 1913 to run the shop which opened previously as Derby Drapery. The little Aladdin’s cave was full of useful trinkets, curtains and clothing, as I heard it put before ‘if ya can’t find it head to Rowell’s’.

The blow to the oldest store in the town came after Swann Menswear also sold up in 2019 after 111 years trading; formerly at High Road then the Market Place since 1981 the two shops are a sad passing of the town’s history. The three floor menswear shop is now a convenience store and Rowell’s is set to be a micro pub after a £50,000 makeover, however the shop is said to need it as cupboards have been eaten by damp and the property needs bringing up to modern standards.

The property is now owned by Martin Edwards and a partner, and to be run by his son Tyrell, of course all work is underway but the actual opening date is going to be whenever the lockdown and tier systems allow he quoted to a local news source it may be June.

I am happy that they are keeping the two long counters, with dating back to 1879 the counter is heaped in history, it was actually in the first Rowell’s shop which opened in Bath Street Ilkeston in 1865 and quickly became a staple shop in every Derbyshire town. The original store was a drapers shop and burnt down, the Field family who ran the shop, had two daughters who married into the Rowell’s family and it is from here the brand was born.

I never actually thought I would see the day the shop was sold, its lay out always reminded me very fondly of the Two Ronnie’s sketch, Four Candles, and as a teenager I would always giggle at the sign ‘Visit Rowell’s rug passage’, immature but everyone needs a giggle.

The building no doubt needs plenty of work, rewiring and the windows have been broken numerous times over the years, the news that it is to be used and not sit empty is welcome I hope they preserve the shops past with a name that hints at its history, I suggest Bobbins, the name has been used before for Corner Pin I believe..

Social media news sites quoted Tyrell of saying "We want it to be a hub for the community. We were talking about putting things on for elderly people in the week such as a bingo session or an old film. I hate the thought of people being lonely. I want to be open for everyone. We'd like to have live music as well."

Without the masses of towels and undergarments hanging everywhere the shop is actually quite large with 128 sq metres floor space plenty of room for seating and live music, I cannot wait to see the finished micro pub and am looking forward to giving a full report as soon as we are able to.

That’s all for this issue, stay safe, stay home and don’t get too bored!!