Forum Topic

Messrs. Waite and Rose original shop.

Please remind me someone...where exactly was the original Waitrose shop in Acton - and was it called Waite and Roses' shop? Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4339d12 Comments

Waite, Rose and Taylor...on the High Street opposite the Police Station. If you look up at the row of buildings, you can see specially adapted ones with big windows - it's there.Acton History Society has published a history of the early days of Waitrose... written by Janet but I can't recall her surname. Sounds like you should invest.

Sara Nathan ● 4339d

Someone might want to correct me on this.... But I was told that it was in the spot now inhabited by Babylon Pizza.And a second shop was apparently on the site of Heart and Soul.I only say this because the gentleman who restored the building once told me he found an original Waite and Rose sign behind the plaster.

Richard Grange ● 4339d

I wonder what Messrs. Waite, Rose and Taylor would have thought of JLPartnerships' Waitrose supermarkets now?  Personally, I rather like the Waitrose chain of supermarkets - they have a wide range at good quality usually imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4339d

They probably would have thought - Kerching!

Richard Grange ● 4339d

Yes, it's Babylon Pizza, there's a bronze plaque in the pavement.

Ben Smith ● 4339d

The second shop was in Churchfield Road - where Heart & Soul now is - but no plaque for coming second.

Sara Nathan ● 4339d

"    Old shop at 263 Acton High St in 1906  "

Fred Bray ● 4339d

Yes the bronze placque is in the pavement outside Babylon Pizza Gerry. I took some pics a few years back. I think the owners of the building wouldn't allow a placque put on the walls!

David P Archer ● 4338d

What happened to Mr Taylor?  (See pic) Did he get to be the fifth Beatle?

Richard Grange ● 4338d

Read the Book!I think he was bought out quite early on.

Sara Nathan ● 4338d

Don't know much about Waite or Rose or Taylor - but have read the history of the founder of the JLP empire, John Spedan Lewis - a far thinking late Victorian businessman with high ideals for his staff(Partners) - ideals of ownership, sharing and charity which still exist today.

Gerry Tan ● 4338d

As Sara said, there is a book called “Waitrose - Seeking to Attain Perfection” by Janet Appleyard-Hobbs. This tells the history of Waitrose.Copies are available - details at http://www.actonhistory.co.uk/acton/page2.html

Amanda Knights ● 4333d