Early days in management, 1958

In the year 1958, at the age of 21, I found myself managing a branch of a well-known multiple in an East London high street, which was quite a daunting experience as the support I had from head office was minimal. The shop was in the front of what was formerly an old house with a narrow stairway leading to several store rooms which were formerly living quarters. On arriving there I was told that the previous manager had abruptly left, and try as hard as I could, I was unable to ascertain the cause of his sudden departure. It didn't take me too long to realise that the lay-out of the premises necessitated frequent use of the stairs, which at the end of the day left me exhausted.

I decided that I could do far better, and a position arose in a nearby privately owned pharmacy, which I applied for  successfully. On arrival there I found myself working together with the proprietor, who was also a pharmacist, and one girl on the counter. The shop had very little stock and very few customers. I recall spending an inordinately long time sweeping the pavement in front of the premises in order to kill time. The proprietor was away most of the day leaving us in charge of his very quiet business. It turned out that he was having a boat built and that he needed to supervise it. I could see that the business was not viable and it was clear to me that my time there would be limited. We made jokes that his intention was to sell up and sail away..... and that is exactly what he did! My purpose there was obviously to act as a stop gap while he completed his plans. He was rather unfair to me as he told me that I was unsuitable for the business after a couple of months and I had to leave. I was in the area two weeks later and found that the pharmacy had been sold and had become a hardware store. I never discovered why he didn't come clean with me and tell me the truth...perhaps he was embarrassed for the way he had used me. It remains a mystery to this day.