IT WAS back in the late 1800s that Allan Watt, a Lanarkshire farmer’s son, opened a small drapery shop on Glasgow’s Elmbank Street.

He specialised in selling ribbons and lace, and the business took off – helpfully boosting the family’s income, which was beginning to drop.

More than 100 years later, Watt Brothers – now in a multi-storey warren of a building on the corner of Sauchiehall Street and Hope Street - is one of the city’s retail landmarks

The recent suggestion by current owner Willie Watt, great-grandson of founder Allan, that the iconic store might relocate, sparked a flurry of memories from staff and customers who hold the place dear to their hearts.

Willie explains: “It would be a hard day for all of us, to leave the current store, but we have to look at changing market conditions, wheelchair access for our customers, and what’s best for the business.”

Willie recalls visiting the store as a child, when his dad was in charge.

“Those were the days when the staff all wore white collars and you called everyone Mr, or Miss,” he smiles.

In the early 1900s, fashion was the company’s staple product – and its customers flocked to the store for the latest designs in everything from lingerie to ball gowns.

A significant extension to the Glasgow store opened in 1929, complete with walnut panelling, magnificent ceilings and elegant arcade-style shopping displays.

At the time, Glasgow was home to around 40 department stores - big-name stores such as Pettigrew and Stephens, Copeland and Lye, Daly’s and Hendersons competed with Watt Brothers and only Watt Brothers remains.

“There has always been change to cope with – in the 70s, along came chainstores, then it was the big discounters and now the internet,” says Willie. “Our challenge has always been to provide the best value to our customers. You have to adapt to survive.”

Watt Brothers founder Allan Watt died suddenly aged 73 in 1939 and his son, William, who had worked alongside his father, took over the business, followed by his son Allan, (Willie’s father) who was also famous as an athlete.

Allan took part in the 400 metres relay at the 1948 London Olympics . He was described by the press at the time as the ‘Olympic hope among the nylons’.

In the 1950s, Watt Brothers opened a second shop in Clarkston, on the south side of the city, and in subsequent years, more stores followed. There are now 11 across the central belt, and the next generation of the family has joined the business.

“My son William went off to university to do chemical engineering, but came back to the business and absolutely loved it,” smiles Willie, who took over as managing director 25 years ago, at the age of 26.

“He took to it like a duck to water.”

He adds: “It is a fun business to work in – challenging, of course, but it’s a great place to work.”

Willie’s favourite memories are of visiting his father at work in the store.

“There were no tills back then, it was all pneumatic Lanson tubes, which took the cash to the office,” he recalls. “The women never used calculators, it was all done on manual adding machines called comptometers.

“Some of the older ladies on the comptometer could beat you even if you had a calculator.”

He adds: “I remember as children, if we were on the shop floor in the morning without a duster in our possession, we’d get a slap on the back of the hands – you were not allowed to stand around and do nothing.”

Willie’s dad died three years ago, but customers still talk to Willie about him, and have fond memories of the store in “the old days”.

“Some even recall my grandpa,” he grins.

“It’s a great business and we are proud of it, and the way it has grown, from 30 or 40 employees to almost 400, from one small shop to 12 sites, including the central warehouse. Last year we had a million hits on Facebook.”

He pauses: “I love it – it’s all I know.”

Did you work in Watt Brothers? Did you shop there as a child? Share your memories by emailing ann.fotheringham@heraldandtimes.co.uk

*And don’t forget our Thanks for the Memories drop-in event at Govanhill Library on Tuesday, May 29, from 10.30am until 12.30pm.

If you grew up in Govanhill and have stories and photos to share, come along and tell us all about them.