Part five of a series from 2013. This covers the time when my mother and I ran our own business. For the benefit of non-UK readers, an ‘Off-Licence’ is known elsewhere as a ‘Liquor Store’.
At the end of Part Four, I mentioned two more jobs, both covered previously, in other posts. These are behind us as we continue, and it is now 1976. My next sales venture was back in retail, though in a very different way from before, and for totally different reasons. I have touched on this earlier, in a post I called ‘Looking after Mum’, and I will now go into it in more detail, and if you will forgive me, at considerable length.
When my Dad left, and forced the sale of the marital home, I was working as a taxi driver in Kent, and Mum was working in an office job. I was in my early 20’s, and did not want to be tied to a mortgage at the time, especially one taken out with my own Mum. However, it was highly unlikely that we would have qualified for…
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beetleypete 
I was a wreck during this entire read! So frustrating to learn how many people are willing to take advantage of others. It’s dishearteningly! Glad you two got out! Warmly, C
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Running a small business was a hard life, and an eye-opener into just how heartless people can be.
Best wishes, Pete..
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I am so sorry, but you really have not been spared any misfortune here. I am also very familiar with empties. The life of a retailer that many people just want to rip off. xx Michael
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Small scale shopkeeping is a nightmare, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Your poor Mum! I think you have to be ruthless to run a shop, especially an offy in a crap area of London. Glad she got out OK.
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It was not a great experience for either of us. At one stage I was working both jobs, 18-19 hours a day.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Nightmare!
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Gave me great respect for small shopkeepers, Sue. Our hourly rate for all that work was barely the minimum wage now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I can imagine, Pete
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