TVs, hifis and customer service at former Wrexham store

Well a photo shared in the Leader's Local Bygones Facebook group, proved that many people do.

The image was an old shot of the exterior of T.E. Roberts Ltd, located on King Street, Wrexham.

TE Roberts in Wrexham.

Born in Treuddyn near Mold, Thomas Evan Roberts opened his first shop in Coedpoeth in 1952 and expanded to King Street six years later.

His Wrexham store became a popular part of the town centre, and older residents may recall a visit to the shop by Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix, known to viewers as Elsie Tanner, to mark the shop’s expansion in the early 1960s.

About 1,500 people turned up to catch a glimpse of the hugely popular actress.

Huge crowds gathered in King Street Wrexham when Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner, visted T.E. Roberts Ltd in the early 60s.

The visit brought great excitement to the town, although a small number of people who were at the front of the queue had to go to hospital after passing out.

Thomas' son Terry Roberts recalled staff had to help people walk through the shop and out through the rear entrance to recover.

Speaking to Leader after his father's death at 96 in 2016, Terry added that he had prided himself on customer service and spoke about how they built up a rapport with customers.

Thomas Evan Roberts (second left) with first wife Hilda and their sons Barry and Terry.

He said: “We had been in business in Wrexham for such a long time that a lot of the customers were repeat customers.

“In a way you thought of them as friends because they would come back, and it was a family business and we had to look after people because you wanted them to come back."

Read more: "Loved it at Cranes" - Remembering where the music started for many

Thomas retired in the 1970s due to ill health. Sons Terry and Barry carried on the family business - which at one point employed 40 people - until it was sold in 2006.

Many readers were reminded of their time at the store in Wrexham, with plenty noting the high level of customer service...

Staff from T.E. Roberts in King Street, Wrexham at their Christmas party.

Sean Hughes said: "Loved going and looking at the hifis and huge TVs."

Al Sharpie: "Great shop used to rent video player from there nearly 40 years ago now, also got first CD player. They repaired goods on site as well. Always good customer service."

Gary Simpson shared a great memory: "Bought my lad a kid's toy Dyson from there. He saw it on the way to mine and others scoffed.

Read more: Football flashback as Wrexham match photo sparks nostalgic discussion

"Told him that T.E. Roberts had ran out and would try my best and chat to Santa (who was in our union ). He was resigned to not having it.

"Boxing Day at mine he made a mess, told him it needed sorting and to get the hoover... kid's one was there. Later it went from mine for his sister, best buy from there for kids' smiles."

Mark Emlyn Samuels' Technics midi stack system from T.E. Roberts, including the receipt.

Mark Emlyn Samuels: "Bought a Technics midi stack system from there in 1992. Still using it now!"

Mark Rumens: "Bought loads from there over the years always good service."

David Alan Parry: "We had our first TV in 1953 in time for the Cup Final and Elizabeth ll Coronation from Wellums. We endured the 12 inch screen. When ITV surfaced 57/58?? we had a tin box converter on the top of the wooden frame to give us the product. Eventually we took a trip to T.E. Roberts for a seemingly giant 18 inch Murphy TV - no more tin box."

Morlais Jones: "Met my lovely wife Val when she came to work there 12 months after I started. Still together 59 years later! Her, and another girl who worked there, Marjorie Maddocks became friends, and have remained so to this day. Loved working there."

Hifi bought by Maz Antrobus from T E Roberts 1989.

Maz Antrobus: "Our hifi from T.E. Roberts in 1989, radio is brilliant. We paid about £600 for it."

Dan Gaff: "Had the odd hifi item repaired there, guy knew what he was doing, rare these days."

Ali Lewis: "My dad wouldn’t buy the tellies from anywhere else."

• For more nostalgia photos and chat, visit the Local Bygones Facebook group.