FROME’s corn, seed and horticultural merchant shop, which has remained untouched for a century, saw the end of an era on Wednesday 1st March, when it closed for good.
Moore and Toop based on Christchurch Street West, was built in 1922. It opened in 1923 and has not been painted or changed since.
Ernest Clothier, who took over the business on 17th February 1969 said, “It was always really busy in here. We never modernised the shop, but that never seemed to affect things with customers, we always had so many people who would come in. The shop is famous and we would have people coming from all over and outside the county to travel to it.
“We sell animal feed, dog food, cat food, hay, straw, and we did sell a tremendous amount of garden stuff and loose seeds. I have seen such a change as the years have gone by, in the demand for what people want.”
Ernest who grew up on a working farm in Wiltshire, has also seen changes to the farming industry over the years. He said, “We used to sell a lot to do with the farming trade and I have seen such a change to the farming industry over the 54 years we have had the shop. The industry just isn’t what it was.”
One of the challenges the shop has lived through is the Covid-19 pandemic Ernest said, “We were an essential service during Covid, so the shop remained open. We had a table at the door to keep people from being inside the shop and we still continued to serve people.”
Now with the shop closing, Ernest, who lives in Frome, says, “My plan now is to have a rest, before one of my daughters gets me decorating. I don’t mind that though.”
Reflecting on the years gone by he said, “One thing I will really miss about having the shop is the people and having a chat with all the regulars. I have watched many customers grow up and many who would come into the shop as children with their parents, and now they come in as adults.”
