London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Harrow 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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Since 1961 four new large food stores have been opened; over the
same period the number of other food shops has fallen by 109—nearly half
being grocers.
A large number of the vacated shop premises are now occupied for
purposes other than retail trade, e.g. launderettes, betting shops, travel,
estate and insurance agencies.
The following is a list of the various types of shops in the Borough at the end of the year, classified under their principal trades:—
| Antiques | 13 | Motor and accessories | 129 |
| Boot repairers | 39 | Musical | 11 |
| Boots and Shoes | 48 | Newsagents | 112 |
| Builders merchants | 28 | Opticians | 18 |
| Butchers | 115 | Ladies outfitters | 114 |
| Chemists | 63 | Gents outfitters | 79 |
| Coal order offices | 25 | Photographic | 20 |
| Confectioners/Cafes | 152 | Pet stores | 11 |
| Drapers | 26 | Public Houses | 54 |
| Radio, T.V. and Electrical | 93 | Second-hand wardrobes | 4 |
| Fish and fried fish | 43 | Sewing Machines | 6 |
| Florists | 20 | Stationers | 18 |
| Fruiterers and Greengrocers | 107 | Tobacconists | 124 |
| Furnishers | 69 | Toys, sporting equipment | 22 |
| Glass and China | 10 | Wallpaper, paint | 34 |
| Grocers | 186 | Wines and spirits | 47 |
| Hairdressers | 145 | Wools | 25 |
| Hardware | 67 | Timber, woodwork .. | 23 |
| Jewellers | 28 | Large mixed stores .. | 23 |
| Leather goods | 9 | Miscellaneous | 87 |
| Total 2,247 | |||
During the year 1,145 visits were made for the purpose of administering
the Shops Acts, 1950/1965. Sunday and evening observations were also
made. The following is a summary of the contraventions noted:—
Closing Hours
Failing to close for a weekly half-day 1
Failing to display notice of early closing day 14
Serving customers with non-exempted goods on early
closing day 9
Failing to display mixed trade notices on early closing day 8
Failing to close on Sunday 1
Serving customers with non-exempted goods on Sunday 12
Failing to display mixed trade notices on Sunday 9