EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN DRAPERY EMPORIUM

Evening Star, Issue 22143, 25 September 1935, Page 5

EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN DRAPERY EMPORIUM

INCREASED AMENITIES FOR CUSTOMERS

For the past year the premises of Messrs Arthur Barnett Ltd. in George street have been more or less in the hands of workmen, but everything has gone on so quietly behind the scenes that patrons will be more than surprised when in the course of the next 10 days or so they will be introduced to improvements op a scale not before seen in this city. In the first place, the whole of the extensive workroom accommodation has been moved into the sunshine, and here, as the writer was shown from workroom to workroom, conditions appeared to be ideal for the girls employed. The space thus made available, and which opens from a wide flight of steps leading from the millinery showroom, has been turned into a luxurious lounge and up-to-date dressing rooms for the free use of customers. The lounge itself may be described as a study in brown. Entirely panelled in solid walnut, with an upper frieze in pastel pink plaster, the room gives out a very restful note. A carpet in deep Wilton pile covers the floor, and the furniture is upholstered in moquette to tone. The refectory tables and buffets, are of an old English design, and the deepseated chairs are the last word in comfort. A bright note is struck by the accessories of pillar-box red to he found on the writing tables, where every facility will be provided for visitors.

The room may be electrically heated to any degree or cooled as desired, while through beautiful coloured windows, which display a modernistic design very pleasing to the eye, an effect of sunlight can be given to an otherwise dreary day. Customers will now be able to arrange to meet their friends in Arthur Barnett’s lounge and catch the cheer germ. They may .write their notes there. They may spend a restful hour, and read the latest journals. They may telephone their friends. They may take the children for a general tidy-up after a day’s shopping, for the retiring rooms for women and children are perhaps the most attractive parts of these amenities. An innovation which should be very popular is the iced-water fountain, which will be found in an adjoining alcove, where a plentiful supply of drinking vessels will be always available. The retiring rooms are quite the last word in'modern hygiene and up-to-date appointments. An abundant supply of hot water and clean towels will be always available, and the fact that the whole suite will be in charge of an efficient matron will ensure its perfect cleanliness and efficiency. _ The children’s nursery is decorated in primrose enamel, with a nursery frieze that will make an appeal to the ’little ones, while every convenience will be provided for the mother. When the public realises that all this is provided > entirely free for their use and convenience, we feel sure that they will jealously safeguard it, and that no single act of vandalism will ever be committed.