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Woman sitting on stool, with mannequin arms behind her, on a black background

Christine Fisher-Lathwell

Man sitting on stool, with mannequin arms behind her, on a black background

James Pellow

Woman sitting on stool, with mannequin arms behind her, on a black background

Sheila Burnett

Woman sitting on stool, with mannequin arms behind her, on a black background

Lisa Carter

Woman sitting on stool, with mannequin arms behind her, on a black background

Jane Caldow (née Moody)

Black and white photos behind an orange window frame

Marlene Tolley

an old metal newspaper advert showing a woman in a swimming costume behind an orange window frame

Sue Fowler

Collage of old, hand-written receipt books in an orange windows frame

Jane Gibbs

Door and windows at the bottom 1200-3

Welcome to Packs' People

Step into the vibrant world of Packs’ People, an Oral History project brimming with the captivating stories of those who worked, shopped and modelled at the iconic Packs’ shops.

From Elizabeth Pack to Pack and Culliford and Woods & Wilkins, these beloved stores were at the heart of the Isle of Wight during the golden age of department stores.

Explore over 150 handpicked audio snippets alongside full-length interviews that bring these memories to life. Delve into a treasure trove of photos, many revealed here for the very first time.

Each piece weaves together a rich tapestry of a bygone era, celebrating the enduring legacy of these cherished establishments. We’ve also organised the audio and photos into eight Topics, to make it more accessible for you.

Our living archive doesn’t just recount history—it celebrates the soul of the Packs’ building as a bustling hub of commerce and community.

You can learn more about the people behind this unique project on the About page.

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