The Beginning Of Barretts
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Charles Huckle
Arthur Barrett set up the business in November 1888, originally called Victoria House after the previous name of the property at Number 1 New Street. The premises occupied 170 sq. feet and specialised in men's clothing.
Progress was made in the early years and turnover increased from £1030 in 1889 to £1200 three years later.
In 1889 Arthur employed a young boy, Charles Huckle, aged 12 to assist him in the day to day running of the store. Charles earned 3s 6d (17 1/2p) a week.
Dark Times
Emily Phillips
Tragedy struck in January 1893 when Arthur developed meningitis which proved fatal. He was just 28 years old. Mrs. (Kitty) Barrett was left with a baby son and another not yet born. Kitty decided to continue the business with Charles as her only member of staff. The business changed its name to Barretts and by 1905 was firmly established. Charles became very much part of the Barrett family and in May 1907 Kitty and Charles married. Charles was 30, Kitty 48. Just over a year later Kitty contracted peritonitis and died in a London hospital.
Opposite Barretts was another family store owned by Mr. Phillips which was run by Emily, his daughter. Emily was also a member of the Methodist Church attended by Charles and after courting they were married on 18th April 1910.
Charles Huckle
They had four children, Margaret, Joan, Peter and David.
This period brought new incentive to the business and alterations were made to the store. At the end of the 1920's an opportunity for major expansion came along.
The premises next door became available and Charles purchased them for £1800. This expansion housed the new ladies, gents and children's shoes and chiropody. In 1938, fifty years after it's formation, Barretts of St Neots Limited was incorporated with Charles and Emily as its directors.
Peter and David
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With demobilisation at the end of the Second World War, Peter and David decided they would make their future careers in the family business. Charles now withdrew from most of the routine management. Ten years later, just before Christmas 1956 he suffered a severe stroke and died on January 8th 1957. He had worked in and been an inspiration for the business for 68 years.
Emily retained her home at the Corner House, above the store, after Charles death but failing health following eye operations led to her death in April 1965, 9 days short of her 84th birthday. Now came the painful process of clearing the family home of all its memories. Demolition began in July and rebuilding was completed in May 1966, giving the business another large increase in selling space. Sales by 1967 had reached £100,000.
The Third Generation to the present day
Barretts Today
Peter's son, Ted Huckle joined the company in 1975 and is the present Managing Director. Peter retired from active management in 1980. Six years later Peter's son Alan joined the business and is now Director and the company Chairman. Ted and Alan are the third generation of Huckles continuing the business in St Neots.
Today, the store still retails from the same site on the corner of Market Square and New Street but now occupies the whole block instead of just the tiny corner shop of 1888.