Thursday 1 November 2012

The Bridewell Tackle & Gun Shop

Once upon a time in Arcadia, on the first Thursday of November, ladies and gentlemen abroad near the Broads for a brief holiday and in search of anglers', shooters' and sporting requisites would go to Bridewell Alley (off London Street) in the market town of Norwich where they could call at The Bridewell Tackle & Gun Shop, premises also known as Bill Cooper's.   Cooper's had a double identity as a shoe shop 'Bridewell Shoes Ltd' and were renowned stockists of 'Gipsy Queen', 'Savile Row', 'Cave's Commonwealth', 'Escort' and 'Superveldt'.  Visitors to the shop would be given a card upon which was printed 'This is a Bill Cooper's Shoe Shop - you can't go wrong with branded goods, service and civility.'

Should you be a lady, a gentleman or a gypsy queen and find yourself abroad near the Broads or elsewhere on this, the first Thursday of November, and you are in search of anglers requisites I invite you to take the London Steam Underground Railway to Liverpool Street Station and visit me at my stall nearby in Spitalfields Antiques Market (off Commercial Street) in the district of London known as E1 where, between the hours of 8am and 3pm on Thursdays only, I sell Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul.  On occasion I also carry the odd pair of shoes and will always treat you with civility.