Cripps, the name has been with me since my very first day on The Bold Street Project back in January. Cripps was an upmarket ladies’ outfitters based at the bottom of Bold Street (in what is now Waterstones) catering for the well-to-do of Merseyside and Cheshire society. I have records mentioning Cripps in its location 12, 14 & 16 Bold Street from the mid 1800’s - late 1900’s.
I was contacted by a lady who worked at Cripps, Maureen, who was a dressmaker in the store from 1962 - 66. For a dressmaker a job at Cripps meant you were set up such was the prestigious reputation of the shop.
Workers would arrive and leave through the entrance at the back of the buidling, onto Wood Street. Here a man would be waiting to sign you into work, Maureen generally remembers it being a very strict environment to work in with no talking amongst the staff and no music playing in the shop.
Cripps was known for making and altering clothing on site which stretched from hats and furs to specially made dresses for ladies who had specific physical requirements from their clothes.
Often ladies would have a new musquash, mink, rabbit or fox fur coat instead of an engagement ring from prospective husbands, although the irony was that most of the women working in Cripps were not married - expected instead to be married to their job.
Maureen particularly remembers a lady named Miss Delaney, her supervisor during her years at Cripps.
Image Courtesy of Liverpool Record Office.
I still possess a little black day jacket bought from Cripps in the 1930s/40s by my grandmother - the Cripps, Bold Sreet label still intact inside. I have worn it occasionally over the years and never parted with it because of its timeless style.
My Grandmother Edith Findley and her sister Jessie Findley who were born in the 1890s both worked at Cripps. My Grandmother was a superb dressmaker and tailoress who made all my coats skirts and suits well into the 1970s. I never pass the building without thinking about them both.
If you are interested I worked as a fashion buyer for Cripps young customers from 1963 to 1970 ish. I am also still in contact with the ladies fashion buyer from the same time. I well remember Miss Delaney.Would be happy to talk about it.
Anyone body wishing to see a little of the old glamour of Cripps please visit Waterstones in Bold Street, there are some nice little oddments still to be spotted
I’m told that an ancestor of mine, Charles Robert Critten, worked at Cripps store (possibly even as Manager) before his death in 1945.
I would be very interested in any further information which anyone may have relating to Charles and his time at Cripps.
Peter
Manchester
i worked at cripps 1965-1969.miiss flanaghan was my “superviser” I remember Maureen,miss delaney,miss marsdon,mrs gillybrand,miss bullock,miss danson & many more. I bought a coat from the 20-30 shop (rosalie)for my then fiance (now husband) degree ceremony.
Cripps Sons @ Company Ltd.
I have to say Marilyn that I am not able to put a face to your name. (sorry)I am however familiar with all the names you mentioned.Do you remember Mrs Osburn who was the Buyer for the Ladies fashions? She is now not far off 90 and living in Southport and as you would expect still very smart!They were good days….I was often invited by Miss Delany for coffee and cake in the work room on a Saturday morning! I forget now why I had that privilege but a privilege it really was. Kind regards Rosalie.
Does anyone associated with Cripps remember or have any memories of Joyce Appleton who used to work their?
Sadly she passed away on Saturday 21st January 2011 aged 95.
Neil
I worked in the office at Cripps, in the early 1970’s. I found it was very strict. I remember when decimal currency was about to come into circulation, a group of people were summoned to the boardroom and we were each asked about how we would make a transaction using the new currency. I was very shy in those days and although I didn’t join in, the people were always very nice. Happy days. Myra. X
I worked in Cripps in 1969/70 . I worked in the office upstairs as a cashier checking all the tills takings . Im sure they had a cold storage were women would put their fur coats in during the summer.
You are quite right Brenda….there was indeed a Cold Storage for Fur Coats etc. rumours abounded about very large rats that lived in there and because of the intense cold they grow very long thick coats!!!! (have no information on what they had to eat) Always good to hear about the ‘old days’. Rosalie.
I bought my wedding going away shoes at Cripps, Bally Lizard Skin to march a handbag bought at Wm Henderson in may 1968 where I worked in the Wegdwood Room. Next month we celebrate 45 years of marriage