RYLE Ltd - Whitley Bay & Hexham

[Sio]

Hello,

I am interested in collecting memories of customers/staff/anyone connected to Ryle Ltd of Whitley Bay. It was a family business founded  by my great-grandmother, Sarah Isabella Ryle (née Jackson), originally in Swalwell and then Whitley Bay, with another branch in Hexham during the World War 2. It was continued by her children until the 1950s .

I would like to hear of any stories to do with the department store, which from what I gather was very elegant and stylish. Its bridal salon and tea room must have provided a few stories too! I would be thrilled if anyone had any photos aswell, as very few have survived.

Also any of the same for her daughter Annie Ryle's separate store in Whitley Bay.

Thanks,

Siobhán Ryle

[fairyfeet]

Hi Siobhan

Ryles was THE department store in Whitley Bay.  I lived just around the corner and it was definately out of our price league.  We just adored looking at all the beautiful clothes and occasionally walked through just for the fun of it.  We came home with ideas for my mother to make our dresses, skirts and blouses.  The only time I bought anything was around 1960 - it was a ski jumper in the sales, cost the fantastic sum of £10 and I still have it.  I refuse to part with it as it is memento of my youth!!

Marion

[Sio]

Thanks for that great description. I wish I could have seen it but I was born too late! I believe it was pricey alright!! I do know that the top names would not come cheap either! I have only seen jewellery  from Ryle Ltd that a 90 year old still has and it is really is strikingly modern even now.

[Malcommon]

Hi Siobhan, My mother Florence ( Flossie ) Bell served her time ( apprenticeship) as a dressmaker at Ryles of Whitley Bay and boy was she good at it! she started there in 1936 straight after leaving school at the age of 14, she had her time there interrupted by the second world war when she went into Fords factory at Trafford park Manchester making merlin engines for Lancaster bombers and spitfires, this was some change for a dressmaker eh,  The name Ryles certainly carried some cache, she used to make gowns and wedding dresses for the rest of her life and there were always women coming to our home for fittings and alterations.  She finished her long carrer in the trade working for Dukes and Marcus as a Sample Dressmaker  making the dresses for the salesmen to take on the road with them and as you can imagine they were and had to be just perfect!
She always spoke fondly of her time at Ryles and all I can remember is that she worked with Peggy Carr from Newsham Blyth.
My mother died in 1989.  regards Malcolm Common, Blyth.

[goobster]

Hi, my name is Alison Walton, birth name Ryles.

A friend of mine works in the shop that was originally known as Ryles Ltd. I called in the shop today for the first time and on talking to the shop owner I found out the name of the original shop.  As I walked about I spoke to a gentleman upstairs who was dressed in a Blue consierge's uniform which I found quite odd as it was so old fashioned. I asked the owners if they knew they had a ghost and they said that they thought they might have but that no one had seen it. I the proceeded the discribe this gentleman to them and thats when I found out about Ryles the department store. Also there is a lady who is also there who I believe was in charge of the Tea-shop that was there at that time.  Could you send me some more details of this shop and its staff and also a bit on the family history.  It would be really special if I could be part of its history.

Yours  Alison

[Michael Dixon]

 Alison,

 Ryles were at 340 Whitley Road, in Whitley Bay. What shop is that now ?

Michael

[fairyfeet]

Michael

Ryles Department Store was on Park View on the corner with Roxburgh Terrace, it took up a considerable site.  In recent years it has been a health club.  I have not been there for a few years - if it was ever on Whitley Road, it must have been before the 1950's as I lived on the next road to Roxburgh Terrace and saw it most days on my way to school.

Marion

[Michael Dixon]

 Marion,

Thanks for your info. Although I am a native of nearby Blyth and visit Whitley Bay regularly, I am no expert on the town.

 I got my info ( that it was at 340 Whitley Road) straight out of Ward's Trade Directory, years 1926 and 1936

Entered as " Madam Ryle, The Ladies Wear Specialists" in 1926. Telephone Number 356. With Residence as 10 Kings Drive.

 I went for early record as Alison had mentioned that the gentleman's uniform was old-fashioned !

But next time I am in Newcastle Library or Tyne & Wear Archives, I will have a browse of a wider range of directories.

I tried ringing the telephone number but did not get through !


 Michael

[blueberryS]

Hi I am the current tenant in Ryles, we have had the building for seven years. I have heard hundreds of stories about the building. Various ladies coming in having either worked here, and lots reminising of what they bought here over the years. Particulary the staircase brings back lots of memories for lots of people. The building is 82 Park View and we currently have it as Blueberry Square a furniture and gift shop, and previously we had our bathroom shop Domani Bathrooms here. The original department store was larger than our section. it combined what is now Clarks and Newcastle building societyand Rooks sawyer and Mathews. The whole block is called Ryles Buildings and is owned by the same landlord. I would also love to see any photos of the old building. I have asked lots of people who mention it.