Material relating to branch files - L

The files contain material for the following branches: Langley; Langney (This branch is listed on the branches spreadsheet as Eastbourne, Langney. Therefore it may be more appropriate to place it under Eastbourne); Lea Bridge Road; Leamington Spa; Leatherhead; Leeds; Leicester; Lewisham; Leytonstone; Lincoln; Lordship Lane and Luton.

Amongst the material for Lewisham there are three receipts issued by 'Sainsbury's General and Fancy Draper and complete House Furnisher' at Obelisk House, 1- 5, Loampit Vale and 34 - 42 High Street, Lewisham to Mr Walden at 43 Guildford Road, South Street, Greenwich, 13 May, 15 June and [ ]6 June 1914 for a half guinea fender. There is also a postcard size application form for a customer to fill in so that they could have their furniture removed, a typed note advertising the services offered, and some articles about the business in the JS Journal [Sainsbury's staff magazine]. Also included is a newpaper cutting from the Lewisham Borough News for the launch of the new self-service store at 132 Lewisham High Street.

In 1888 John James Sainsbury opened a store at 44 - 46 High Street, Lewisham. The freehold purchased for the store included the premises next door at 34 - 42 High Street which housed a firm of drapers. The drapers also ran a furniture sales, removal and warehouse business. Following a fire at 34 - 42 High Street John James gave the owner, Mr Matthews financial assistance and subsequently bought the business in 1903. The drapery business was sold shortly after his death in 1928 although, according to an article in the JS Journal (February 1985), the removals and warehouse side of the business lasted a little longer.