IN SHOPLAND

Evening Star, Issue 16463, 29 June 1917, Page 2

IN SHOPLAND

THE LIVING-IN SYSTEM. A BIG FIRM'S SUCCESS. (From the Drapery Supplement to tho ' Daily Mail' Overseas Edition.) _ Times have changed, for tho shop assistant since tho days, over half a century ago, when Sir Richard Burbidge, as a draper's boy, had to sweep out tho emporium where ho was apprenticed at 6 a.m. and do a strenuous day's work before he was allowed to seek rest about 10 or 11 in tho evening with the scantiest of fare provided 1 to keep up his boyish strength in these long, -weary hours. With a universal closing hour, holiday fixtures in the Statute Book, four good meals a day, and a cosy bedroom to herself, tho modern shop assistant, armed with a good salary and the prospect of a buyer's appointment ahead at £I,OOO a year, stands in one of the most important positions in tho whole industrial arena of Great Britain.

In the old days of the profession the shop assistant had many grievances, and life was indeed hard, with long hours, poor food, and cramped and dingy surroundings, which half a century ago obtained, behind the scenes with oven reliable'and famous firms. Agitation may have helped, but the greatest reform has been wrought in the life of the shop assistant by tho employer himself, who' as a business genius recognises that if ho is to get tho best out of his workpeople he must make them comfortablo and give them a sense of wcllbeing in their home life. The plan has been tested, and out of the crucible of comfort, good food, and happy surroundings the army of shop assistants, which plays such an important part in tlio dressing of the British public all over the world, has emerged ready to give its best in commercial service. A SPLENDID ENTERPRISE. One of tho pioneers in shop life reform is tho firm of Messrs Bourne and Hollingswortb, in Oxford street, and it will go down in the history of commercial enterprise as one of the best friends of the shop assistant. This firm four years ago took a step for the benefit of *the shop assistant that has been unsurpassed in the records of private enterprise—the building of two halls of residence. These two houses not only point tho way to the most beautiful in'architecture in London, where the emporiums dedicated to commerce outshine tho city's palaces, but they represent perfect models of hygiene, light, and airv comfort.

Mr W. H. Coates, general manager of the firm, told an ' Overseas Daily Mail' representative that tho inauguration of the two houses had been the greatest success. " Although every girl (nearly oil our men have gone, to tho war) may go to her homo if she wishes for the weekend," he explained, "very few avail themselves of the opportunity. The majority stay at Warwickshire House, where there is a big staff to wait on them from Saturday after we close at 1 p.m. till Monday morning. " Their time is entirely their own, and there is nothing to remind them of business at Warwickshire House, which is in Gower street, but tho plate on the door with a brief inscription—' Bourno and Hollingsworth (Nothing Better in Mayfair).' " Regularly they have their meals.there, and the girls over the week-end can attend to their washing in the special laundry—blouses, etc., anything they like—and there are no restrictions. They see their friends, have entertainments, and if they want to go to tho theatre in tho evening the house is kept open for this purpose till 12 o'clock on Saturdays and Wednesdays. "At Warwickshire House there is a special dancing hall wo built for the girls, and it is not boasting to say that it is as big as a good many of the ballrooms in Mayfair. It measures 80ft by 40ft, exclusive of the stage, and, of course, it can bo used as a theatro or a concert room,"

A personal inspection of this hall was made by the writer by the courtesy of the firm, under the guidance of the house stoward, who is most envious of the cooking arrangements at Warwickshire House in the vast kitchens underneath—he would like to have them transported to the premises in Oxford street. Marble steps lead to the polished oak ballroom, which has one of tho finest dancing floors in London. Hero tho shop assistants bring their friends to the numerous entertainments organised by the girls themselves. One, a concert, is to be held this week to raise funds to send gifts to tho men uelonging to the firm who are'in the fighting

There is a stage at one end where plays and concerts are given, and it is equipped with footlights and lighting effects in proper theatrical style. Its winj;s and its dressing rooms would be envied by professional theatreland if its members could only have a poep at the comfortable surroundings here. Tho stage has three Teal exits, a drop curtain in green velvet and gold, and special lighting switches, and many excellent entertainments have been given by the girls, among whom there is much talent.

THE GOOD JUDGES OF COMFORT. "The living-in system is such a success under conditions here," explained Mr Coates, "that tho majority of our 1,200* employees seek hospitality for choice at Warwickshire House or at on© of our seven annexes opposite in Gower street. The matron has quarters on the ground floor beyond tho lounge, to which access as gained through the big entrance hall. Even the seniors prefer to live here, and the juniors would not care to change quarters. In addition to steam heat throughout the building, we have coal fires arranged. They are homelike for tho girls, who sit around them in tho winter with their books or their needlework." A stroll round the different rooms on the seven floors revealed to the writer just how much the girls have thought of their hall of residence. Some had put their photographs of "him" on tho walls (ho is invariably in khaki); had their cushions_ placed about in their bedrooms, and their cosy dressing go%vns awaiting them over chair backs. Some had boxes of chocolate placed temptingly on their tables, and one girl proudly showed her wardrobe, and pointed out that each girl had one with a key to herself, which was exclusive property. ONE GIRL'S VIEWS. "Not for the world would I change my residence," she said, "except, of course, when ho comes home—then I won't be in business. The foc*3 is splendid, and plenty of it, and as wo close at r/x each night It gives you timo to rest after Joeing busv all day in the shop. Ido a lot of knitting", and play a deal. We have several pianos, and I belong to the library with about 200 other girls. In the library we have all kinds of books, papers, and magazines, and wo pay 6d each a month, the membership ■ fee. You never miss the 6d, and you get extra quietness there for writing your letters.

"Have you seen our bathroom's? Come along, then. They arc finer than the ones in tho big hotels in tho West End. \Ye have been told so. Marble, they are, and wo have 24. We can all have a bath a day, and wo have 12 special hair-washing rooms in addition. I lik« the ones with the spray, so that you can have a fipe shampoo, and your hair dries in tho hotair room in a few minutes."

In the laundry 20 girls can do their washing in marble baths at one time,

while as many more can proceed with tho ironing. Just how much this feature is appreciated ' was ,shown yesterday by long 'Jines of blouses, stockings, etc.," hung up for a final airing., The laundry boasts of a fine big mangle. Feet racks are placed in. front of the marble baths, that are fittod in just the right position, and are equipped with plentiful supplies of hot and cold water.ONE OF MANY WONDERS. The box room for the girls is but one of tho wonders of Warwickshire House. It is arranged with huge racks separated for trunks, so that luggage is never piled to-' gother, and each box is numbered to correspond with the girl's room, so that she can get at hefrespective box in a moment. The lounge for maid-servants is one of the most, comfortable things in London, and it boasts of a real Old English fireplace m xed tiles'that you can sit under at the sides. • The girls have most of their food at the emporium in Oxford street, but breakfasts and suppers are served at Warwickshire House. In the kitchens, that are tiled to tho ceilings and arranged with aluminium tables, hug© roasting ovens are grouped, and the larder is liko a hall. Upstairs tho beds are most comfortable, and the girls have all plenty of space in their respective rooms. Tliero are over 600 bedrooms, and "no girl," said the house steward, "has ever been known to complain of her bgd or furniture." All tho floors aro covered with bright linoleum, and nigs are plentiful. Marblo filters aro placed on each landing, and hot water is always at hand 'for washing purposes, dressing rooms boing grouped on each floor. But the hospital, perhaps, is one of the greatest triumphs in tho building. It is on one of the upjier floors, is shut" off from the rest of the house, has its own staff, and is in charge of a sister. FACILITIES WHEN ILL. "I havo never had more than 12 cases at a time," explained the sister, " and that is in the wintor, when the girls are apt to get colds. There is a convalescent room for them, and we take every care that they aTO well enough before they go back to work again." A few wero in tho " wards" yosterday, and very cosy they looked. Cheery fires, polished floors, everything fresh and airy was tho impression left,, and the emphatic nod of a patient when the writer inquired "Are you comfortable?" was sufficient answer. "Wo have our own kitchen in the hos-

pital," explained the sister, " where wo cook special meals for the patients. All our stoics are kept here, and we have our own linen." Lifts with a decorative scheme in polished oak are a time-saving device to •i-arry the girls from one floor to the other. Tho shop assistants do no housework, they have post office facilities in the building, an "in" and "out" keyboard finds them in record time when their visitors call, and, snving Wednesday and Saturday, when Warwickshire House is open till 12, each night from 6 to 11 the shop assistant hero is her own mistress regarding hours. GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT. Stffordshire House, the hall of residence for male employees, built on the same plan as Warwickshire House, it is interesting to note, was placed at the disposal of the Government by the firm in the early days of tho war and accepted, with the approval of the staff. " Since August, 1914, it has been used as a hospital for convalescent Belgian soldiers," said Mr Coates, "and it has 419 beds. We left our complete staff at their disposal—2l servants—and handed the building over to tho Red Cross, lock, stock, and barrel, with rent and lighting free, a full equipment of bod linen, and all the furniture. The firm pays the salaries and provides tho food for the staff—our own 21 servants. "It is used as one of King Albert's hospitals—there are many over the country. Our assistants helped gladly in tho offer, and gave up the house with tho utmost goodwill. Of the number, 163 volunteered to sleep at home or with friends, receiving extra pay, of course, to cover rent and railway expenses, and the rest wero found homes in Gower street, seven large houses being rented and equipped by .the firm for the duration of tho war and .applied to this purpose. NOW KING ALBERT'S HOSPITAL. "The patron is the Queen of tho Belgians, the hon. president is tho Duchess of Vendome, and the president of" the hospital is Earl Curzon. ,; In many respects the interior of Staffordshire House has been changed. The reading room and the library have been rebuilt into offices for tho official staff from the Belgian Legation, and proper accommodation has been provided tor the nurses and the medical staff. A new kitchen has been installed, store rooms altered and enlarged, and the recreation room, with its dancing floor, has been converted into a mess room. Tho old dining room has been turned into a recreation room, with a piano, where billiards, bagatelle, and other games are played by the convalescent Belgian soldiers.

" On the top floor the old hospital quarter is utilised for surgical work." The generosity of this gift cannot be too highly appreciated, as Staffordshire House held the reputation of being the best "living-in" residence in this country until Bourne and Hollingsworth built Warwickshire House, which surpassed its brilliant sister.