Hi Iain it seems that vat was introduced in 1973 according to an internet search Warwicks sadly closed just a few yrs ago after a century of trading Lots of the smaller towns/ larger villages had stores similar /general ironmongers that usually had almost anything.. a few still hanging on Partridges of Hadleigh sounded similar to Warwicks but they too have gone around the same time.. possibly a knock on from covid?
Thanks @podbros for the information about VAT and Warwicks. It's always interesting to find out that little bit more about these odd items that come along whilst collecting. Yes a lot of our traditional ironmongers have vanished, though in the countryside an occasional town still has a 'hardware store' where you can buy anything except for those niggly small bolts / machine screws to fit an odd lantern or stove. Happy New Year to all
They abound during my younger days. Nostalgic. They usually have nearly everything that I'd want back in the day. Could hardly see any these days. Not just that they're becoming rare. Even the makers of the items that adorn those stores have vanished or moved on.
Most likely between 1973 and 1979 when VAT was 8%. That should have made the VAT 2.4p but they seem to have rounded down. It was never lower than 8% AFIK.
Thanks @JonD re the years and VAT rate. I agree with you @MYN that those stores evoke some nostalgia. I loved the way you could buy a pound of nails or spare handles for garden tools.
I bought my first (incomplete) Petromax in a trift store. It was repaired in the shed behind a hardware store where the owners father had his lantern "business".
