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Foster Newell, Newry’s premier department store, was created by a merger in the mid-1960s of two longstanding Newry clothing retailers Foster and Newell. By 1967 the Foster Newell store had been completed modernised over a two-year period, masterminded by the Managing Director, Barry Edwards, and employed seventy people. In this article, and a future one, we will be focusing on the content of a twenty-four-page advertising supplement of that year entitled ‘The new Foster Newell’s Moderisation Event’. The following quotes from the supplement show that many of the employees were highlighted for their contribution to the success of the store and their back story.
‘Motor rallying is a hobby actively participated in by the bachelor John Aiken, who is the buyer in the men’s and boy’s wear department. A Ballymena man he came to Newry about 20 years ago to serve his time in Fosters. John who also plays golf and badminton, took up rallying about a year ago. He drives a tuned Ford Angelia and is a member of Newry Motor Club, rallying all over the North. So far, he has chalked up one win – the night navigation rally in South Down. During the summertime he plans to go rallying about once a week. Deeply interested in social work, John lends a hand to the local Multiple Sclerosis Society, and he is one of the young men attempting to form a Lions Club in Newry. Members are usually young business and professional men interested in social work and in giving a hand to the needy.’
‘Mrs. Rya Arnold of Dora Avenue, Newry, the buyer in the lingerie and corsetry department spent twelve years in Canada. She returned to her hometown about two years ago and re-joined the firm last October. She has a department of which she can be really proud. The displays are attractive, and the lingerie has a magnetic attraction, each item seeming to be more fascinating than the last! A widow, Mrs. Arnold has a little girl Sandra who is eight and naturally most of her after hours’ time is devoted to her. Mrs. Arnold began her career as an apprentice with the firm and spent seven years with them before moving to Coleraine as a buyer with the firm of Tweedy Achesons.’
‘The days ahead are going to be busy and exciting ones for Miss Naomi McDowell of Warrenpoint, who is planning an Autumn wedding. She has been with the firm for the past seven years and progressed to buying wool and haberdashery department over four years ago. Stocked in the department is virtually everything from a needle to an anchor. Here women will find something many don’t know even exists – a gadget for pulling up and down a back zip. Very handy indeed. Working among all kinds of wool in all colours it is surprising that Miss McDowell wants to even hear the word mentioned after six o’clock – but in her spare time she enjoys rug making and knitting.’
Some customers were asked for their opinion about the store, ‘Mr. Francis V. Harty has been in business as a coal importer and ship broker in the town for the past 32 years and among the authorities of which he is a member is the South Down Hospitals Management Committee. He had this to say: “Shopping in Foster-Newells means that you get satisfaction. When I come in, I am very well looked after and never have any complaints.”’
In the next article, we will continue to highlight some of the people who contributeed to the success of Foster Newell.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums/newry-and-mourne-museum
