Locals of Reading have been remembering an iconic shop from the town’s bygone days.
Jacksons was a family-run department store that sadly closed its doors in 2013, and many residents remember buying their school uniforms from there.
Considered a very traditional shop, Jacksons was open for over a century with its foundations dating back to 1875.
Although the store has since been shut down, huge “Jacksons Corner” lettering still adorns the wall of the building.
On a Facebook post asking people to share their memories of the beloved shop, numerous users commented fond anecdotes of Jacksons.
One person wrote “Reid's and Jackson's were the 2 department stores in Reading that sold school uniforms for the 'posh' schools like St Joseph's Convent, Kendrick etc.
“I got a scholarship to the Convent when I passed my 11 plus, but going into that shop felt like Harrods to me, coming from Dee Rd Council Estate. Very elegant building for sure.”
Others chimed in to also share their memories of buying school clothes from Jacksons.
Another person said “I remember getting my school uniform and guides uniform from Jacksons department store. It was a proper old school department store, very "Are you being served.”
“I don't think it changed much in all the time it was open.”
Aside from purchasing school uniforms, many local residents also shared fond anecdotes of visiing Jacksons with family.
One commenter wrote “Jacksons Department store was on that corner. Lovely old fashioned place.
“Although we lived between Maidenhead and Windsor a Jackson’s representative would visit regularly and collect money for a sort of club to save for my brother and my clothes.
“Once or twice a year we’d bus into Maidenhead and catch the Thames Valley 1 bus to Reading. Took sandwiches, my brother and I got bought a toy and we had lunch in the Forbury Gardens.”
According to Reading Museum, the store once boasted a Lamson pneumatic system which was used for handling cash and payment.
The system was fitted in the store in the 40s and upgraded in the 1960s. It was known as a 'cash railway' where clerks would place the payment in metal canisters.
With regards to this, one user commented “It was one of those places with an overhead pneumatic 'railway' that took notes off to a cash office where the correct change was given and shot back to the assistant who served you.
“I was staggered when we arrived in Reading in the mid-80s to see such a system still in place; I think there was a shop in Durham, where I had studied in the 70s, that had this, but otherwise it was something that delighted my childhood, and my kids were similarly charmed by it at Jacksons.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel