Crookes, Crookes

Image: © Dave Hitchborne Taken: 26 Aug 2008

On the corner, back in the ‘50s and ‘60s and maybe even earlier, there was a Macduff, Fruit & Veg Shop, now Present Moments. The fruit and veg was stacked in boxes in sloping tiers from floor to about shoulder height, which left very little floor space. You always had to be aware of where you put your feet when the shop was full – The Barnardo’s Store, next door, was John Shentall, Grocer, where my mother once worked. The firm Shentall originated in Whittington, Derbyshire and used the Crooked Spire as a logo on all their products. Sugar, butter and flour was weighed in the shop and there wasn’t a plastic bag to be seen anywhere. In 1922 a Sing Lee owned this shop, amongst others and lived above it. Back then, it was a Laundry. On Saturday 9th September, his assistant Lee Doon murdered him and stole his money. A Lily Siddall, who was his other assistant, raised the alarm when Lee Doon told her that “the boss” had gone back to China. She became suspicious and informed the police. The laundryman was found in a tin trunk buried in the cellar. Lee Doon made up a story, but the evidence was against him and at his trial the jury returned a verdict of “Wilful murder”. He was hanged on January 5th 1923 at Armley Jail in Leeds. HS Eyecare, Optometrists used to be Peet’s, Ladies Outfitters.

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