| Beech
Rd has had a number of stalwarts down the years and there are still many
to be found tramping the cobbles of our beloved road. One such person was
Martin, a shop assistant at Etchells. His is a story of high finance and
corporate greed, how can a poor Chorlton lad resist such temptation.
The story begins many years ago, nobody knows exactly when because it seemed that Martin had always been at Etchells and that he always would be. Perhaps he was born carrying a newspaper bag and wearing that Morrissey T-Shirt. Whenever there was a mutiny amongst the paper boys/girls, or they rang in with a sicky it was Martin who stepped in to save the day. Come rain or shine, sleet and hail, Martin would don his Parker, sling the assorted Guardians and Mirrors over his shoulder and trudge out into the frost biten morning. Thanks to Martin, whatever the weather, Chorlton got to read its papers with their sugar free muslei and lightly buttered crumpets. |
If
you wanted to talk cricket, Martin would oblige. He had a cheery word for
pensioners and he never knowingly short changed you.
However the storm clouds were gathering. The face of British retailing was changing and Martin began to look beyond the horizon. The devils work was at hand and the Trafford Centre reared its ugly head shouting "money, car parking, free uniform, staff discount." Debenhams had heard of Martins dedication and hard work, the head hunters were in operation and how could Martin resist. Whatever package Etchells could offer, a giant like Debenhams could up the ante. So it was a late summers day in Sept 1998, the sun was setting over Chorlton Green and Martin sold his last Manchester Evening News. Perhaps Martin did need a new challenge, Etchells hasn't collapsed without him although he is missed by the Chorlton public. The Trafford Centre might have won the battle for Martin but the war is far from over. |