The oldest business in George Lane is celebrating after a major refurbishment.

Abbotts Travel registered as a travel agent in 1957, but the South Woodford business began elsewhere in the road as a stationers and library back in the late 1930s.

Julian Abbott, took on the business from his father, Robert, who in turn inherited it from his grandfather.

Julian said: “My grandfather used to run Abbotts station library which is now Abbotts Stationers.

“They used to loan books to commuters to read on the train. Then during the war they started selling train tickets and the whole travel thing sort of started from there.”

The business moved into its current premises in the late 1960s and expanded in the 80s when Julian and his father bought the shop next door.

Now he has leased that shop to coffee chain Costa and changed the layout of the original travel agent to bring it up to date.

He said: “We used to have to rack out 500 odd brochures, but with the Internet there isn’t the need anymore.

“It’s a much more modern, comfortable space.”

Many of the staff who work at Abbotts have been there for years and some old faces turned up .at the party to celebrate the re-opening of the new look shop.

Irene Webb travelled from her home in Frinton-On-Sea to celebrate.
Mrs Webb, 78, worked as a bookkeeper at Abbotts fro 34 years before retiring at the age of 70.

She said: “It was lovely to come back and see the place again.

“I have such good memories of working here. Of course it’s changed a bit.

“It’s a real family business. I remember Julian when he was a schoolboy at Bancroft's and now here he is in charge.”

Julian added: “Times have changed but we still offer the same quality service we always have.

“I have seen three generations of families coming through here. Our oldest customer is 103 and has been coming here since I was a boy.

“It’s a tribute to our wonderful staff that people keep coming back.”