Barretts of Canterbury: 28-30 St. Peter's Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BL

GRB was not the sort to be put off by a challenge and, although saddened by the loss of Leonard Jenkins, he immediately set about planning to rebuild his "department" store. His answer, in conjunction with the architect H Campbell Ashenden, who, ironically had previously had his offices in this same building prior to GRB buying it in 1931, was radical.

They decided to remove the old building completely and rebuild in the very latest style. The front was finished in bronze and Roman marble, with an arcade design which gave a very large window area to display goods. Inside the shop there were skylights and a large open well in the centre of the first floor, to allow plenty of natural light throughout the building.

This was backed up by the very latest 'Philora' lighting system. The building was a truly striking example of modern architecture, being surrounded by much older buildings. The whole project was planned by Ashenden, built by Witshiers and opened by Barretts within an astonishing 4 months of the fire, opening on March 18 1938.

Barretts of Canterbury became a private limited company in 1939 and with the new store could offer virtually every type of wheeled vehicle; prams, toys, pedal cars, push-bikes, motor-bikes and motor cars.

The other technological marvels of the time, radios, gramophones and refrigerators were also being sold in ever increasing numbers. However, just as the business was getting back to normal, and by now it was employing more than 80 people, the war came and everything changed again.