This is a photograph of James Thomson & Son Ltd shop on the last day of trading. The shop closed in March 1971 following the death of the owner, Mr Charlie Taylor (47).

The business had been in the family since 1919 when it was bought by Mr Robert (Bob) Taylor (my grandfather), father of Charlie Taylor, following his demobilisation from the Royal Flying Corps in 1918.

In the days before supermarkets, the shop was always busy and long queues forming outside the shop were often seen on Fridays (weekly pay day) and especially at Christmas and New Year times.

The shop was open Monday to Saturday but closed for a half day on a Wednesday. The shop delivered groceries to many of its customers throughout the Edinburgh area. The delivery of groceries was undertaken in the evenings and at weekends when the shop was closed for business. Customers could phone the shop to place their orders.

After the shop closed in 1971, it was bought over by a Health Food Shop and when the Health Food Shop closed, it was bought over by Bonis (Quernstone/Ice cream/Restaurant) and was converted into their premises for making ice cream. The shop now forms part of Imans Restaurant.

I would love to hear from any former customers who have memories of my Dad and his shop.