Many thanks to Mike Styman for sharing these wonderful images with us. Mike started working at the Owen Owen Finchley store initially on day release from college in 1971 while studying retail distribution. Later that year he became a full timer with one day release back to college and finally passed his exams . During his time at the Finchley store he worked on Furnishing Fabrics on the second floor and was then promoted to Assistant Manager on Menswear. In 1973 he became Department Manager of Menswear.
Mike remembers his time at Owen Owen with great fondness. “Our General Manager was Phil Brosgarth and he was a great leader and taught me a lot. In 1976 I transferred to the Richmond branch which had previously been Wright Brothers. The next year the Regional Director, JIm Mariner asked me to transfer as a manager of a few departments in Evesham. I loved it there and the people were so friendly. In 1978 I moved to the Coventry branch (now Primark) as manager of Menswear. I left the business the following year. Elizabeth Mee, the Personnel Director asked me to stay and I declined. I wished later that I had stayed. After two short jobs I joined John Lewis at the opening of the new MIlton Keynes branch in 1979. I was with them until retiring.”
Mike Styman in 1973 in the Menswear Department at the Finchley store
Owen Owen Finchley store (then called Priors) in Winter 1963
Owen Owen Finchley – The Store for Pleasant Shopping