My Beat Regent Street
Journalist David Davis (ex Times) reports from the world's first shopping street, which dates back to the early 19th century. Originally conceived as a processional route for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, it was completed in 1826. Managed on behalf of the Queen by The Crown Estate Regent Street's 1.5 miles of frontage, is undergoing a £500 million transformation to maintain its status beyond the 21st century.Thursday, May 12, 2005
Man for all skills
Neil Johnson is multi-skilled. He repairs shoes and watches, cuts all different types of keys, can engrave virtually anything from trophies to house signs, and also advise people on dry cleaning their clothes.
He needs all these skills to run the tiny one-man shop in Regent Street which is part of Timpsons, Britain’s Quality Service People.
“We’re trained to do many different things” said Neil who travels from his home in Orpington, Kent in time to make an 8am start to catch customers on their way to work.
Five generations of Timpsons have been involved in the business that bears their name.Chief Executive John Timpson is th great grandson of the Founder, William Timpson, who at the age of 16 opened his first shop in Butler Street, Manchester in 1865. Today, 100 years later, there are more than 550 Timpson shops in the group. (www.timpsonltd.co.uk)
He needs all these skills to run the tiny one-man shop in Regent Street which is part of Timpsons, Britain’s Quality Service People.
“We’re trained to do many different things” said Neil who travels from his home in Orpington, Kent in time to make an 8am start to catch customers on their way to work.
Five generations of Timpsons have been involved in the business that bears their name.Chief Executive John Timpson is th great grandson of the Founder, William Timpson, who at the age of 16 opened his first shop in Butler Street, Manchester in 1865. Today, 100 years later, there are more than 550 Timpson shops in the group. (www.timpsonltd.co.uk)
posted by David & Beryl Davis # 11:28 AM 
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