Television and Radio retailers from 1922 to 2000.
We know that Louis Armstrong visited Europe — once in summer 1932 (England and Scotland) and for a longer time in 1933 and 1934 (England, Scandinavia, Denmark, Holland, France). Newspaper reports exist, as do the first airshots and the famous 1933 film footage.
But I hadn’t known that Louis and his band had paid a ceremonial visit to a famous gramophone store, Cowlings Bros in St Nicholas Street, Leicester, on Saturday, February 24, 1934, until I’d seen this autograph book up for bid on eBay. Jazz Lives
Comment
I was to young to see that lovely old music store in Leicester, but heard so much about it, if it was here today I would go in and have a look around, looking at the lovely old things they had in the store.
Name
Gary Smith
(2021)
Comment
I worked at Cowlings in Belvoir street in the 1970s. I don't recall them being in St Nicholas Street, in fact, I cannot find a a street with that name. Only: Circle, Place and Walk. I know that they also had a place on St Peters Road. There was a fire at the Belvoir Road store in 1964, pretty well gutted the place, but that was a bit before I worked there. I'd be 11 years' old then.
Name
Peter Merricks
(2022)
G.W. Cowling Ltd
·
A report from the Leicester Mercury
June 3, 1964: Another spectacular fire occurred at Cowlings TV and record shop, on Belvoir Street. Two pumps and a turntable ladder were dispatched, finding the ground and first floors well alight.
Further pumps were requested, making six in total plus a second turntable ladder, requiring outside brigade assistance.
Firemen were injured by exploding plate glass windows. Five jets and breathing apparatus were needed to extinguish the fire.
G.W. Cowling Ltd
·
It is with regret that I have to announce the death of Trevor Sargent aged 82 ex managing director of G W Cowling Ltd.
