Dear editor, The striking photo of Whichers and Jamiesons corner store in last week’s Mercury (October 4) evoked memories of prominent old Milford Haven business gentleman, Joseph Whicher.

He came from Broughton but later moved to Market Street, Haverfordwest, in the 1830s in partnership with William Williams, a grocer. In the 1840s he set up his drapery shop at 23 Charles Street with his family and they stayed there for some time before entering into the famous partnership of Whichers and Jamieson.

In the 1890s they employed six male members and nine female staff and by 1901 had moved to 55 Charles Street, around the time when the Mercury photo taken.

Joseph and his family also ran a furniture department and his son Joseph continued the family business on his behalf.

The picture of this prominent store depicts the excellence of service and splendid interior of that shop in Victorian times, which was elegantly decorated and visited by well turned-out ladies in their long dresses, with a various assortment of curtains, hats,clothing, and materials of the highest standard.

RICHARD S. BARNES Marble Hall Close Milford Haven