Thelma Armstrong made sure of first place in the queue at Stollers' showroom in Millom on December 27, 1989, ready for the following day's bargains a £5 single divan bed and a £5 table.

Daughter Sharon and neighbour Janet Redshaw kept her company for a while, along with William Blackburn, manager of Safeway's Store opposite, who popped over with a warming drink to keep their spirits up.

In June 1994, The Mail reported that work had begun on a major furniture store in Barrow.

Stollers was building a 37,000 sq ft shop complete with children's play area and restaurant at the Holker Street store near Matalan.

Around 50 people would be employed in the store. Thirty would transfer from existing stores and up to 20 new jobs would be created.

The store was likely to be fitted out in October, ready to be opened in time for the Christmas market.

Planned departments included curtains, fitted kitchens and bathrooms and a picture and mirror gallery.

Managing director David Stoller said: "I have got great confidence in Barrow."

In November 1994, staff at the Stollers' store on Dalton Road at Barrow waved a last goodbye to their high street shop.

Stollers' brand new superstore in the town was due to open on December 1.

The furniture store had been on Dalton Road since 1905.

Ian McCabe, Stollers' company secretary, said: "It is a very sad occasion really, but we are looking forward to the future."

In January 1995, The Mail reported that an end of an era had been reached as the Dalton Road Stollers store had been demolished.

It had been a landmark for Barrow shoppers for almost 90 years but the business had finally outgrown the shop and had opened its new store at Holker Street.

The former Stollers' store had been demolished and the site levelled in preparation for the building of two new shops by Cornerhouse Properties.