egafd.com

Another sad sight to see hitting the High Street, but alas, the sign of the times thanks to the Internet and out of town shoppin centres.

I used to love Jessops in the 80s and early 90s. They were the only ones that gave you a free film when you got your earlier film developed from them. Never had to buy a roll a film in my life, thanks to them. They were also really quick on getting your pictures back (none of the usual week crap). I used to drop mine in before 12.00, lunchtime, and you'd get them back the next day.

It's so sad.

I first started doing photography in about 1967 and I don't think I've ever bought anything other than one UV filter about 10 years ago from Jessops... and that's only because I needed to quickly replace a scratched filter and it was the nearest photo shop to where I was shooting at the time.

I think what put me off Jessops was that the first time I went in one as a potential customer, the staff were just "box shifters" rather than knowledgeable salesmen (a bit like staff in Dixons, Comet, PC World etc) so I went to places like Westminster Cameras, Park Cameras or a local independent shop like Teddington Photographic (where professional roll film was always kept in a fridge!)

It's always sad when shops close, but in this day and age, given the internet, high rents and business rates, out-of-town shopping centres etc., it's more likely than not to happen.