LOCKED UP FOR 6 YEARS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12769, 27 January 1936, Page 7

LOCKED UP FOR 6 YEARS

SHOP OWNER’S DECISION

BECAUSE WIFE FELL ILL

LONDON. Dec. 5. A Plan who locked, up his doublefronted shop six years ago aiid left it with stock oh the shelves aiid windows dressed, told a reporter why he had done it. The shop is in DaWes Road-, Fulham. One window displays irohuiohgery, and the other leather goods. Year after year people have wondcred about bis strange shop,' which seems to bo ready for business, but never opens its doors. The owner is Mr H. NichollSj of Queen’s road, Kingstomam-Thambs, a short, alert little man, with greying hair, steelrimmed spectacles. ; •

In quick, jerky sentences he told his tale. “Wife fell ill Six years ago. After an operation wo moved down to . a house I own in Egham. Wife my first concern, naturally. . . . Had to choose between her arid the shop. One morning I paid the ■ staff up, locked the door, came,away. Haven’t been back since, except for a few times, just to look at the place. Wife died last year. We lived oyer the shop during our early, married life. Not really had the heart to do much about it since she died. I’ve paid the rates regularly. .Thinking of lotting the place soon—auction all the stock, too. I can stand the loss the place, has been. Own property all over London; not short of money.” He showed the interviewer but of his 15-roomed, detached house arid turned to go indoors, flicking the ash from his cigar as if it Were symbolical of the dead years ho had for a moment recalled.