Stokes & Sons
Caroline Street - Bridgend

An advertisement from "The Glamorgan Gazette"
dated Friday 26th March 1926

 This business in Caroline Street was one of the oldest in town when it closed in the 1980s. Originally opened in the 1850s by a Mr East, the business was acquired in 1896 by Henry John Stokes. Born in Essex, Mr Stokes opened a clothing business in Aberavon in the 1880s and was a very prominent figure in that town, at one time becoming mayor. In the 1920s H.J. handed over the Bridgend business to two of his sons, Walter and Wilfrid. Later in the decade Wilfred purchased Walter's share and continued in the business until his death in the 1950s. Wilfred's youngest son John Stokes continued to run the business until the 1980s when it was closed. Throughout the 130 years of trading, the premises remained very little altered, the Victorian frontage surviving right through to closure.
This is the earliest known photograph of Stokes & Co, thought to date from 1902. Standing in the doorway are Mr Richards, manager, and his assistant.
Brother Wilfred Arthur and Walter Henry Stokes shortly after taking over the business from their father Henry John Stokes.
Wilfred Arthur (left) and Walter Henry c1920. Walter emigrated to South Africa shortly after this photograph was taken.
On the right is W.A. Stokes, Centre is Edwin Hunt and on the left is Harold Evans. Christmas 1926
c1947, A.J. Stokes, left, stands next to his father W.A. Stokes. Shortly after this photo was taken the shop was renamed Stokes & Sons.
A rare photo of the interior of the shop. Taken in the 1960s at the end of the day's trading, Mr Egan, an employee for thirty years makes some notes for the following day.
A photograph taken in 1960 showing the new blind which had just been fitted. Note the Austin car just peeping into the picture.
An advertisement from "The Glamorgan Gazette" dated Friday 6th May 1927.

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