Marlene Tolley – Everything was cleaned each week

Marlene: The drawers where sweaters and things were kept, that was cleaned every week, and you folded them up neatly. It was just a good experience. You wouldn’t throw anything back in the drawer. It went in as it came out. Everything was covered in dust sheets at night. It was just really a good training.

Simon: That’s interesting that literally everything was taken out of all of the drawers …

Marlene: Once a week.

Simon: … dusted down I guess or shaken out …

Marlene: Yeah you brushed them out yeah and put … I think we had to have tissue paper in the bottom. Something seems to remind me of that, and then you folded it all back and you usually put the bottom things at the top. ‘Cos it was counters of course in those days.

Simon: So, there was a glass front so everyone sees what’s in there.

Marlene: Yes.

Simon: And was that done during working hours?

Marlene: Oh yes.

Simon: So, that was sort of seen as ok …

Marlene: Oh yes. Well, you were working weren’t you?
Simon: Ok.

Marlene: You weren’t stood about talking. And you always brushed the top of the rails and just made sure everything was clean.

Simon: I mean just the … putting dust sheets out. I mean how many things were covered with dust sheets?

Marlene: Well everything was covered in dust sheets at night.

Simon: So, all the counters, all of the …

Marlene: Yes, everything was covered in dust sheets.

Simon: Mannequins.

Marlene: Yes.

Simon: Goodness. Where did they get stored then, the dust sheets?

Marlene: In the Basement. Well, I suppose we had a cupboard for them to just … it was only like a sheet really. Each one did their own Department, so it didn’t really take very long, just used to it really.

Simon: And then before doors opened, then the dustsheets came off again.

Marlene: Oh of course. And if you were a minute late, woe betide you.

Simon: What happened if you were late?

Marlene: Well, you were told off.

Simon: Publicly.

Marlene: In no uncertain terms as well in front of the other girls.

Simon: And so how many times were you late?

Marlene: I don’t think I was ever really late. I might have been but I can’t remember, so she couldn’t have been too stern with me (laughs).