South Yorkshire Times November 23, 1968

Bates Handyman’s Store

Emancipation comes to most things in the end, so there should really be no cause for comment when one finds a woman talking about and understanding such things as counter-sink bits and mortice cutters. But customers of Bates Handyman’s Stores, Montgomery Road, Wath, still express a little amazement at being served by Mrs. Joyce Bates with no male partner in sight.

The store has been open only a month, and if there is no man about the shop, then there is certainly plenty of evidence of the man behind the scenes.

“My father is backing me 100 per cent,” Mrs. Bates told me. Her father, Mr. Les Worrall, has 50 years’ experience in the building trade, and it is this knowledge that is reflected in the large and comprehensive stock carried by the store, leaving it equipped to meet the demands of both the tradesman and the ordinary handyman.

And her husband, Mr. Derrick Bates, a mechanic, has been able to offer some very useful advice about the selection of tools.

Extensive Stock

The store fills several capacities essential to the needs of both tradespeople and the everyday handyman. First, there is the extensive range and nature of the stock. “This is being built upon week by week,” said Mrs. Bates. “Just starting in a business one is always a little unsure as to what stock to carry, but with my father always there to guide me he has seen to it that the shop is very adequately fitted out.”

The stock rather stresses the utilitarian nature of modern living. Armabord, an all-purpose decorative surface, Vinyl floor tiles, hardboard, timber, plywood, doors; an attractive range of whitewood furniture, paint, pelmets, drape decor rails, Laconite plastic coated wall panels and Laconite plastic wood-grain—the last named a particularly handsome finish to hardboard panelling, which enhances any home whether large or small.

Every facet is provided for easy living — such resistant, long lasting materials, easy to install by craftsmen and amateurs alike, and any help on installation is cheerfully given.

There is a large selection of tools, again suited to both the craftsman and the handyman. A new introduction is the Gos-cut, which cuts and shapes easily and cleanly sheet plastic laminates, sheet metal, hardboard. And a tool stand will shortly be introduced.

“Perhaps the best thing is to come and look for yourselves,” said Mrs. Bates. “Customers are welcome to come and look round and without any obligation to buy,” she added. With the cold weather approaching some welcome objects offered for sale are draught excluders and padding to prevent pipes freezing and bursting.

The recent completion of a warehouse behind the store, enabled an extension of services, particularly in timber and hardwoods and ply-woods, and anything not on hand can be obtained very quickly.