Greenway Shops

“In 1985 the unit became Sherman Lee Borrett. Our advertising was the business name around large gold circles on the windows. With the hairdressing salon being petitioned off, that area became a useful space for engineers, surveyors and architects to work at their drawing boards. The front space was like a showroom, set up with different living spaces, each with a fireplace. The mantlepieces were adorned with clocks and figurines and paintings were above them. Rugs and lamps finished off the rooms. Clientele would visit the shop to look at plans for their extensions, conservatories or new living spaces. Whilst there could view more unusual furniture and ornaments that they may like to add to their new rooms. The idea was “look what you could have in your new home.” My mum Edith looked after the shop for us. We would go to Fischoffs in Cheetham Hill and buy our stock. Mum just had an eye for what would sell, whether it was an expensive one off or a mass-produced cheaper range. We sold individual pieces, like a 4 foot long, freestanding leopard or panther for a conservatory. If you remember the Dulux dog, mum sold over 80 of them. She also ran a book, where shoppers could pay weekly to buy an item that was put away for later. Down the middle of the shop, mum had 3 golden, glass stands with jeweller’s lights inside, making all the figurines and crystal shine even more. She even sold all 3 of them at once! We only rented the unit and the money went to a London address from memory. By 1987 we had sold all our stock to the Reproduction Furniture man.”
                                                                                                                               - Paul Lee, In conversation 2026