BACK in the day, Wellington Street was one of Luton’s swankiest shopping destinations.
In 1914, it boasted the town’s oldest established drapers, Strange and Son, as well as Webdale’s, specialists in household furniture.
Upmarket customers flocked to women’s outfitters Alexander’s – which also stocked Luton Modern school uniforms – and lingered over the jewellery counter at fancy goods emporium Deacon’s. This occupied a site that stretched from number three to number nine on the street.
According to local historian James Dyer, the town centre was dominated by the hat industry.
What is now The Mall was full of hat factories and George Street was often blocked by thousands of crates of titfers of all sizes and descriptions.
So the main shopping parades were to the west of the town and chief among these was Wellington Street.
Mr Dyer said: “It had the newly-arrived S Farmer and Co’s music shop on one corner and Mrs Baker’s Milliners on the other.”
Since those glory days, it’s had its ups and downs and scandalous headlines involving everything from prostitutes to illegal workers.
But now Luton’s one-time smartest street is on the up again. It’s abuzz with new businesses and boasts a cosmopolitan range of shopkeepers.
People like Mehmet Dogan, 31, and his wife Insaf, 29. from Turkey. Their international supermarket stocks a variety of eastern European and Turkish products including teas, spices, honey, yogurt and pickles. There is also a selection of natural juices instead of fizzy drinks.
Mehmet said: “We looked at demand in the area and tried to fill it.”
Across the road is Sopa Siti’s Thai beauty parlour.
Sopa, 39, who came to this country from her homeland in 2003, said: “I feel comfortable here.
“I worked in a factory before but qualified as a beautician so I could make my life better.”
Her specialities are nails and waxing although she offers a broad spectrum of treatments.
Syrian Roufand Mostafa, 22, took over Ali Barber’s six months ago.
He did a three year course at Barnfield and said he had put “a lot of passion” into the business.
The stylish black, chrome and red salon offers old-fashioned wet shaves as well as up-to-the-minute hair cuts.
The street is also abuzz with restaurants, both old and new.
Newcomers include Papa J’s which moved from smaller premises in Alma Street and Pade Restaurant which specialises in Nigerian delicacies.
One of the oldest businesses on the street is estate agent John L Williams and Co which opened in 1976.
Kevin Williams, whose father founded the company, said: “It was far more eclectic when we came. But the nature of trading has changed in the town centre, which isn’t a bad thing.
“It used to be all estate agents and restaurants but it’s far more interesting now.”
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