GRAY PALMER LIMITED Information

Established in 1842 by Samantha Palmer who was a boot maker to the Audley End Estate. She moved from Audley End Village to Cuckingstool End, which was at the bottom of Debden Road, to become one of 22 boot and smock makers in Saffron Walden at the time; all manufacturing for Audley End Estate which at that time employed some 3,000 people The early 1900s saw the business making financial progress as the shop moved to its present high street location, which was formerly London House, a Temperance Hotel with stabling at the rear for coaches. The use of all living area, yard and premises next door increased the shop size to over 4,000 square feet. During this time Gray Palmer passed the thriving business to his son, William, well known sales staff Harry Cox and Bert Sillett, who during their 50 years of salesmanship behind the counter became familiar faces in the town and are still fondly remembered. The present owner, grandson of Gray and son of late William, is Richard Palmer, being at the shop for some 63 years’ service. His long-time manager, Fred Dare, retiring in 2009 after some 43 years’ service and Dennis Clark retiring in 2002, after some 37 years’ service. The shop then moved to London House in 1887, run by Gray Palmer, who was at one stage Mayor of Saffron Walden in 1907. His wife, Clara, gave birth to 11 children, one who was William, my grandfather, selling mostly work wear and specialising in hats. Wallace Brothers had premises next door selling Rudge motorcycles and Riley cars. When Wallace Brothers ceased trading in 1971, Gray Palmer moved through into the adjoining premises, also having 2 flats upstairs where my grandfather and father lived. They then moved to Debden Road. The shop has always prided itself on excellent service and like Pennings, who some people remember as a grocers in the market square, we had some 200 accounts allowing for people to pay weekly or monthly to spread the cost and this we still do to the present day.