First up in the series was David Barker of Rawlings Opticians, a business with deep roots in Croydon town centre.
Founded in Croydon in 1895 by Alfred John Rawling as a clock and jewellery repair shop, Rawlings soon evolved as Alfred took a keen interest in optics. By 1904, he had qualified as an optician and, with the help of his sister, began practising from two rooms at the back of the store. With demand growing, in 1914 the business relocated to its current home at 8 High Street, Croydon, where it continues to look after the eye health of locals.
A true reflection of Rawlings’ family feel, David was first introduced to the practice as a child through his mother, who worked there at the time. These visits sparked a lasting interest in the profession for David, who has now been working at Rawlings Croydon for over 30 years.
Hear David share his key memories from his association with Rawlings in the video below:
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Next up was Benedict Selvaratnam, Managing Director of Freshfields Market, a convenience store that has become a staple in the local community.
Freshfields boasts a wide range of locally sourced goods including bread, eggs, honey, and craft beers, alongside an assortment of international foods. Shoppers can find products from Czech, Slovak, Afro-Caribbean, Indian, and more global cuisines.
The Church Street store’s role within the community evolved with the introduction of an in-store Post Office branch. Benedict notes that this addition has been particularly valuable for elderly customers, for whom collecting pensions or cash may represent their only conversation of the day.
Watch the below video to learn more of Ben’s experience at Freshfields:
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Rounding off the series was Martin Hewitt, Managing Director of the longstanding schoolwear provider Hewitts of Croydon.
Hewitts has been operating in Croydon since 1863, when it was founded by Martin’s great-great grandfather, Charles George Hewitt. Originally starting out as a tailor’s, it wasn’t until 1908 when Hewitts supplied its first scout uniforms, which was followed by school uniforms in 1914 – representing significant respective firsts in the local area and beyond.
The store has gone on to supply uniforms for over 80 schools in Croydon and its surrounding areas, with a summer visit to Hewitts becoming a common experience for three generations of families across the borough.
Listen below to Martin’s story at Hewitts, which officially began when he was nine years old!
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