Comments on: At Spitalfields Oldest Family Business

By: Leila, Cumber

Leila, Cumber — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 16:44:23 +0000

My paternal grandfather, Leib Nathan, I believe that his first name was Leib, had a wholesale fruit and green grocery business in Spitalfields. Probably around the 1890’s. He and his wife, my paternal grandmother, lived in Stepney Green where all their children were born and brought up.
.My father, Jack Nathan, was a jeweller and diamond merchant in Hatton Garden from around 1918 to the 1960’s.

The histories you write are always so fascinating and interesting

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 20:33:57 +0000

Are the price signs for sale? Seriously, I would LOVE to buy some.
Loved the story – best wishes from across the pond in Canada.
If I was closer I would Be a regular customer.

By: Reginald Beer

Reginald Beer — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 10:30:45 +0000

I’ve used Gardner’s for over twenty years (on and off.) Always amazed how Paul manages to locate a special size of bag in the ‘chaos.’ I understand he plays mean blues guitar. I’ve always got a blues harp in my pocket and play him a ‘riff’ when I visit. Hope, one day, we can ‘jam’ together! God bless you, Paul.

By: Genghis Strawbridge iii

Genghis Strawbridge iii — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 22:06:11 +0000

Paul a lovely bloke. Tradition is possibly London’s greatest asset and is being sold off by idiot zombie estate agents. . Taylors Yard off Brick Lane also threatend by same greedy scumbags. Don’t let this sh*t happen!

By: Charly Fowler

Charly Fowler — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:15:27 +0000

If I didn’t live so far away in the US, I would surely be a good customer! Will say a prayer that things go his way!

By: Su Mason

Su Mason — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 20:44:16 +0000

Sounds like a good response to your blog on Paul’s 60th birthday. I really enjoy going at 0630 to buy my paper bags and have a chat/catch up with PAUL GARDNER. Let’s all support small businesses with tradition behind them. Su Mason Dealer in Old Clothes.

By: redandblackmanthinks

redandblackmanthinks — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:28:17 +0000

Paul looks like his grandad does n`t he? Lovely story.

By: Pauline Taylor

Pauline Taylor — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 17:54:12 +0000

Having had to fight to relocate our business due to new greedy landlords I truly sympathise with Paul. We were really fortunate to find fantastic new premises but I hope that Paul will be able to stay where he is and where he is happy. Good luck Paul!!

Pauline.

By: Natalie Zaman

Natalie Zaman — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:27:15 +0000

I love reading these stories, and I do hope he gets to keep his shop. Sending good vibes from the colonies!

By: Denise Bryant

Denise Bryant — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 09:53:07 +0000

This closure of yet another independent business should not be seen as inevitable .
To stop this ever encroaching grab for money by landlords eager to grow rich by doing
absolutely nothing to maintain and enhance the culture of this part of the world …
Some advice ; become active and make this a serious issue . For it is .
Use ‘social media ‘ and spread the word by Facebook and twitter , make posters and
signs explaining the urgency if this matter brought on by the venal landlords
mushrooming worldwide . Paul Gardner has the paper to publicise his plight so form a committee of interested locals and cover the area with painted signs clearly describing
this issue . Nail them to every vertical surface . Email the Council and the local Member of Parliament without cease .
Don’t give in .
Protest and protect .
Once gone …
There is a special place in hell reserved for landlords in Dante’s ‘Inferno ‘.
And …
‘ Once there were islands all a-sprout with palms ;
and coral reefs and sands as white as milk .
What is there now but a vast shambles of the heart ?
Filth , squalor and a world of little men .’