This fine photograph is of yet another Okehampton shop that was run by men who had instilled in them the strict principles of good business practice. Drew and Lawson traded from their premises at London House in East Street, next to the Fountain Inn. The business brought Alfred Claude Lawson and Ernest Drew together. These two men had served their apprenticeships at Seth Harry’s and Westcott’s respectively. The excellent and disciplined training they had both been given enabled them to develop their drapery and grocery business.
In this 1920 photo Reg Luxton is seen on the left. The drapery business had moved to 31 Fore Street and London House concentrated on grocery provision. The two cellar doors can be seen underneath the windows and ‘Passmore’s’ would regularly deliver stock to the cellars. These were the days prior to the use of refrigeration and the sides of bacon and cheeses were always stored at the back of the cellars as this was the coldest location. The sack-trucks were a familiar sight by the pavement everyday, as they were in constant use.
