IN SHOPLAND.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 5 October 1917, Page 1

IN SHOPLAND.

THE LIVING-IK SYSTEM.

A BIG FIHM'S SUCCESS

(From tlio Drapery Supplement to the ' Daily Mail' Overseas Edition.) Times have changed for the shop asistant since the days., over v half a century .go, when Sir Bichard Burbidge, as a' iraper's boy, had" to sweep out the emorium where he was apprenticed at 6 a.m. nd do a strenuous day's work before lie i - as allowed to seek rest about 10 pr 11 n the evening with the scantiest of fare irovided to keep up his boyish strength in heso long, weary hours. With a universal losing Hour, holiday fixtures in the Staute Book, four good.meals a day, and a osy bedroom to Herself, the modern shop assistant, armed with a good salary and he prospect of ~a buyer's appointment ihead at £I,OOO a year, stands in one of .he most important, positions in the whole . ndustrial arena of Great Britain. In the old days of the profession the shop assistant had many grievances, and life was indeed hard, with long hours, ijoor food, and cramped and dingy surroundings, which halt a century ago obtained oenind the scenes with even reliable and famous firms. Agitation may have helped, but the greatest reform lias been wrought in the life of the shop assistant Jjy the employer himself, who as a business'genius recognises that if he is to get the best out of his workpeople he must make them comfortable aua give them a sense of wellbeing in' their home lile. The plan has been tested, and out of the crucible of comfort, good food, and happy surroundings the army of shop assistants, which .plays such an importantpart in the dressing of the British public all over the world, has emerged ready to give its best in commercial service.' A SPLENDID ENTERPRISE. One of tho pioneers in shop life reform is the firm of Messrs Bourne and Hollingsworth, in Oxford, street, and it will go down in the history of commercial enterprise ' as one of the , best friends of the shop assistant. This firm four years ago took a step for the benefit of the shop assistant that has been unsurpassed in the records of private enterprise—the building of two halls of residence. These two houses not only point the way to the most beautiful in architecture in London, where the emporiums dedicated to commerce outshine the city's palaces, but they represent perfect models of hygiene, light, and airy comfort. Mr W< H. Coates, general manager uf the firm, told an ' Overseas Daily Mail' representative that the inauguration" of the two, houses had been the greatest success. "Although every girl (nearly ell our men have gone Lo the war) may go to her home if she wishes for the week-* end," he explained, " very few avail themselves of the opportunity. The majority- stay at Warwickshire House, where there is a big staff to wait on them from Saturday after we close at 1 p.m. till Monday morning. " Their time is entirely their own, and there is nothing to remind them of business at- Warwickshire House, which is in Gower street, but the plate on the door with a brief inscription—' Bourne and Hollingsworth (Nothing Better in Mayfair).' " Regularly they have their meals there, and the girls over-the week-end can attend to their washing in the special laundry—blouses, etc., anything they : like—and there are no restrictions. Tliey see their friends, have entertainments, and if they want to go to the theatre in the evening the house is kept open for this purpose till 12 o'clock on. Saturdays and Wednesdays. " At Warwickshire House there is a special dancing hall we built for the girls, and it is not boasting to say that it is as big as a- good many of the ballrooms in Mayfair. It measures 80ft bv 40ft. exclusive of the stage, and, of course, it can be used as a theatre or a concert room." A personal inspection of this hall was made by the writer by the courtesy of the firm, under the guidance of the house steward, who is most envious of the cooking arrangements at Warwickshire.House in. the vast kitchens underneath—he would like to have them transported to the premises in Oxford street. Marble steps lead to the polished oak ballroom', which has one of the finest dancing floors in London. Here the shop assistants bring their friends to the numerous entertainments organised by the girls themselves. One. a concert, is to bo held this week to raise funds to send gifts to the. men oelonging to the firm who are in the fightinoline. . There is a stage at one end where plays and concerts are given, and it is equipped with footlights and lighting effects in proper theatrical style. Its wings and its dressing rooms would be envied by professional theatreland if its members could only have a peep at the comfortable surroundings here. The stage has threo Teal exits, a drop curtain in green velvet and gold, and special lighting switches, and many excellent entertainments have been given by the girls, among whom there is much talent. THE GOOD JUDGES OF COMFORT. "•'The living-in system is such a success under conditions here," explained Mr Coates, " that the majority of our 1,20f1j ■ employees seek hospitality for choice at ; Warwickshire House or at one of our . seven annexes opposite- an Gower street.

The matron has quarters on the ground lloor beyond the lounge, to which access is gained through the big entrance hall. Even the seniors piefer to live here, and the juniors would not care to change quarters. In addition to steam heat throughout the building, we have coal - fires arranged. They are homelike for the girls, who sit around them hi the winter with their books or their needlework." A stroll round the different' rooms on the seven floors revealed to the writer just how much the girls have thought of their hall of residence. Some had put their photographs of "him" on the walls (he is invariably in khaki); others had their cushions placed about in their bedrooms, and their cosy dressing gowns awaiting them over chair backs. Some had boxes of chocolate placed temptingly on their tables, aud one girl proudly showed her wardrobe, and pointed out that each girl had one with a key to herself, which was exclusive property. - ONE GIRL'S VIEWS. •' Not for the world would I change my residence," she said, "except, of course, wheii he comes home —then I won't be in business. The food is splendid, and plenty of it, and as we close at six each night it gives you time to rest after being busy all day in the shop. Ido a lot of knitting, and play a good deal. We have several pianos, and 1 belong to the library with about 200 other, girls. In the library we have all kinds of books, papers, and magazines, and we pay 6d each a month, the membership fee. You never miss the 6d, and you get extra quietness there for writ- . ing your letters. " Have you seen our bathroomst Come «long, then. They are finer than the ones in the big hotels in the West End. We have been' told so. Marble, they axe>, and we have 24. Wo can all have a bath a day, and we have 12 special hair-washing rooms in addition. I like the ones with the spray, so that you can have a line shampoo, and -your hair dries in the hotair room in a few minutes." In, the laundry 20 girls can' do their, washing in marble . baths at one' time, while as many more can proceed with the ironing. Just how much tliis feature is appreciated was shown yesterday /by long lines of blouses, stockings, etc., hung-up for a | final airing. The laundry boasts of a fine big mangle. Feet racks are placed in front of the marble baths, that are fitted in just the right position, and are equipped with plentiful supplies of hot and cold water. ' ONE OE MANY WONDERS. The box room for the girls is but one,, of the wonders of Warwickshire House. It is-arranged with huge racks separated for trunks, so that luggage is never piled together, and each box is numbered to correspond with the girl's room, so that she can get at her respective box in a moment.