00:00We've had a chat to your aunt and your dad, and we've touched upon it, you know,
00:05various reasons for Dancer's Closing, which is for a discussion another time,
00:10but today's been a celebration with customers and staff for about 144 years.
00:16I mean, that's mega, isn't it? You know, we must be proud, really, to have that Dancer's
00:20name and see it on the store, and you know, even with it closing, you've left your mark
00:24forever on that halso in history. Yeah, it was a team effort, not just me,
00:31not just the family, the staff who have been extended family, to be honest,
00:36but yeah, it's a pretty good going 144s, and yeah, I'm emotional today.
00:40Yeah, understandably.
00:42Mixed, sad because of that reason, A, because it's a 144-year legacy,
00:49because we've had staff here since the 1990s, and yeah, but at the same time,
00:55it's a relief because I've got family that can retire properly now, so it's...
00:58Yeah, so what's plans for yourself then individually?
01:01Just looking into a new venture with my partner, so yeah, and the business itself,
01:07it's been wound down, so we've been very fortunate to have enough support from various people,
01:15various other businesses helping us to wind it down as well, so...
01:18So what happens now with the stock that is left, A?
01:20That's what we've been having help with, some of it we'll have to try and store for now, so yeah.
01:30Well, thank you for inviting us down on, you know, what is a historic day, really,
01:34and understandably emotional for you, and all I can say is it's been a pleasure every time
01:39we have done something with you over the past, mate, and we wish you all the best
01:42for future ventures, Dave. Appreciate that, thank you.
01:44Take care, buddy.
01:45You all right, guys? We're just doing some bits for the expression star.
01:52Come on, don't run away. Ladies, come on, can we call you?
01:56How are you feeling today, then, seeing it going, dancers?
02:00It is, isn't it? It's sad, isn't it, you know?
02:03It's about 31, we've got some of their uniforms.
02:06Bought the school uniforms from here, no way.
02:08School uniform, I know you're wearing it.
02:11I've worn it before.
02:12Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:17These stores go, and there's no one, you're going to struggle to get the stuff, aren't you?
02:21It's not like they're being replaced by stores selling the same stuff.
02:24We all know it's going to be vape shops and cafes, you know what I mean?
02:27That's the problem, yeah.
02:28So it's a sad day.
02:29It is sad.
02:30Yeah, it's been a sad day, so.
02:34144 is crazy, isn't it?
02:37So you just, what, you wanted to come down just to be part of it today and say goodbye,
02:40was that the?
02:44Potentially spend a couple of quid still, yeah, yeah.
02:49Cool.
02:50So round the corner here, looking very smart, we find a young man.
02:53What's your name, sir?
02:55Elias.
02:55Elias, you're looking very smart, aren't you?
02:59I love that jacket, and look at the shiny shoes as well.
03:04So what do you like this store, then?
03:06Yes.
03:07So what do you like about it?
03:09Go on.
03:09That there's tailcoats and stuff.
03:11Tailcoats, ah, so you like the tailored fit?
03:16Yes.
03:16Where do you get your great style from?
03:18Probably here.
03:20Yeah, yeah, and who is it?
03:21Is your dad stylish?
03:23Is your mummy stylish?
03:26Yeah, so you're leading the way?
03:28Yes.
03:29Well, you look great, you look great.
03:30Shall we call you girls?
03:31Come on.
03:34Come on, mum, come on.
03:35Elias, come round by mum.
03:36Come on, you've been brave enough to face the camera.
03:39Isn't he a smart little chap?
03:40He is.
03:42Hey, and this little one here, he's got the cap on as well, look.
03:47So you're going to miss dancers.
03:48Hello, matey, hello.
03:50You're going to miss dancers, then.
03:51I mean, it's a great store, isn't it, mum?
03:52You know, especially when you've got children that want to dress as stylish as Elias here.
03:56It's a sad day, then.
03:58It is, really, yeah.
03:59It is, isn't it?
04:00Yeah.
04:01Oh, you've got a sweetie.
04:02Is that of Dave?
04:03Dave Dancer.
04:04Good stuff.
04:05Right, well, thank you, Elias.
04:06Let me shake your hand, young man.
04:08Lovely to meet you, sir.
04:10There was a big cheer, then, when this young lady come in the shop, wasn't there?
04:14There was.
04:14So you work at dancers, the red jumper's the clue.
04:17Yes.
04:17And who've we got here with you?
04:19Carol Jones.
04:20So you used to work here, Carol?
04:22I did.
04:22So when did you finish here, then, Carol?
04:262012, sir.
04:28Yeah?
04:29Yeah, you did.
04:30And how long were you here for?
04:3133 years.
04:3233 years, wow.
04:35Long time.
04:35Yeah.
04:36I was a long whip snapper.
04:37You were.
04:39How about that?
04:39And when you work, you know, a store like this, you just get to know, it's the customers,
04:44it's the regular customers.
04:45Get the regular people coming in.
04:47Yeah, it's part, you know, when people say, what is community?
04:50For a high street, it's shops like this, isn't it?
04:52And you take them out of it, and we lose a bit of that community.
04:55We serve people.
04:56Yeah, yeah.
04:56That was what they just said.
04:58Yeah, very good way of putting it.
05:00And I know exactly what you mean, actually.
05:02So you wanted to come along today, just to be part of the...
05:05I like to create, you know, a little bit of you and me.
05:08Yeah, you certainly did.
05:10I heard the cheer, the cheer go up when you came in.
05:13So you'll be, it's a, I mean, there's a lovely, ironically,
05:16it's a lovely atmosphere, isn't there?
05:18Because everyone's, but that's just the spirit of the shop, isn't it?
05:21And what dances means to people.
05:23Yeah.
05:24I guess it's tomorrow, isn't it?
05:25When the reality strikes at the sadness hall.
05:27And it's the stories about Christmas parties, isn't it?
05:31Are they printable?
05:33What happens on a Christmas party stays on a Christmas party.
05:36Yeah, yes.
05:38We've got the old bill of sale here for the properties where we are.
05:41And who've we got?
05:42What's your name, sir?
05:43Mike Dancer.
05:44Of course it is, Mike Dancer.
05:45And Jan?
05:46Jan.
05:47So you're, is it sister?
05:49Sister, yes.
05:50Cool.
05:50So how are you feeling?
05:52I mean, 144 years, family business.
05:55It's been a lovely atmosphere while I've been in here, ironically, hasn't it?
05:58The customers coming in and reminiscing.
06:01And is that helping to get through?
06:04What is a landmark day?
06:05Well, I think it really is, yes, absolutely.
06:07It's the support from members of the public and especially the staff have been fantastic.
06:12Yeah.
06:13And Jan, how are you feeling?
06:16A mixture of sad.
06:17It's been so busy the last few days.
06:18We just haven't had chances equally.
06:20Yeah, probably a good thing really, in a way.
06:23We just, I think it's all the friendships we've made.
06:25And we have such lovely staff.
06:27Such lovely, loyal staff and that's what we'll miss.
06:31One of your ex-colleagues was telling me that when the people come here,
06:35they often stay working here for a long, long time or return
06:37because of that nice atmosphere that there is here.
06:40Yes.
06:40Which is nice to hear, isn't it?
06:44Everybody becomes part of the family.
06:45Yeah.
06:46And the reactions you've been getting from people coming in,
06:49I check it, a lot of them are coming in to say, you know, we're sad to see you going.
06:53Yes, and that they'll miss us when we've gone.
06:56We've had lots of cards and boxes of chocolates.
06:59So the customers are no longer coming in.
07:02You're just going to have a few moments with the staff, I understand, aren't you, Dave?
07:05Just have a drink and a chat and stuff.
07:08How about a Dancer's Annual Reunion?
07:10What do you reckon, in the pub?
07:12It's not a bad idea, is it?
07:14It's a good time to think about it.
07:16So did you start in the business as a young kid yourself, Mike, then?
07:20We all did as children.
07:21Yeah, yeah.
07:21So how are you feeling at the minute yourself then?
07:24Oh, it's really a mixed reaction.
07:26But, you know, it's the way it's, what's in life and that's it.
07:29Yeah.
07:30On to the next chapter.
07:31Yeah, yeah.
07:32Mike's 76, I think he's...
07:34You've done your bit.
07:35You've done your bit, Mike.
07:37And we were just chatting a bit off camera, there's numerous...
07:41It's difficult for retail businesses to survive in this day and age for various reasons.
07:48But I understand you don't particularly want to dwell on that, those reasons today.
07:53Today's a day for...
07:54Celebrating that we've been here for 144 years, five generations.
07:58Which is, I mean, that's amazing, isn't it?
08:00It is an achievement.
08:01What businesses have done that?
08:02I remember Oaks is over at Samwell.
08:05They got 200 years, about 10-ish years ago, and that was mega.
08:09So 144, you know, that's something to be proud of as a family, isn't it?
08:13So that's what we've tried to concentrate on today, is the celebration of 144 years.
08:18Well, you've certainly left your mark on our zone, and it's history, for sure.
08:23For sure.
08:23So all the best to you and the family in whatever ventures you delve into next, guys.
08:29Thank you very much, very kind of you.
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