Sue Fowler – Wealthy customers

Simon: I mean after 13 years there, you must have got to know people who were regulars. How was that relationship?

Sue: Usually good. We used to have the Countess of Marlborough and her husband. He was a gentleman, he was lovely. He was a real typical gentleman.

Simon: You sort of looked out for stuff for them, you knew what they liked and, “I’ve got a pair of shoes that you might like here” or …

Sue: Yeah, and there was a … people that owned a big Hotel in Cowes and you used to rub your hands with glee if they came in ‘cos you … we did get commission. Not a lot but it all helped. When I started I got £2 15 shillings and sixpence.

Simon: Great (laughs).

Sue: Which was a lot of money from your first job ‘cos I only ever got pocket money if we were lucky, but … some days it was not good but most days it was alright and obviously it also depends on who you work with doesn’t it?