TIMES are certainly changing in Bolton town centre and our stories about the changes have brought back memories for our readers.

Christopher Hargreaves thought he was going for a treat with his mother when she met him from school, at the age of 14.

“I thought she was taking me to the Lido Cinema because we were heading towards Bradshawgate,” explains Christopher.

But when they passed the cinema and walked into a once well-known butchers’ shop, called F and B Schofield, Christopher realised there was no treat in store.

“I was then told that she had secured a part-time job for me.

“I stood there bewildered, looking at the meat hanging on the hooks, the knives, the cleavers, the saws, the sawdust on the floor and a large wooden chopping block table in the centre,” he says.

His first job was to start taking the meat that had been cut up to be sold the following day downstairs to a large walk-in refrigerator in the cellar.

“Most of the trays were quite heavy and I was relieved when the last one was safely transferred.

“Then I was instructed how to start cleaning all the equipment, making sure the electrical items were switched off and unplugged.

“I was asked to sweep up the saw dust and mop the stone flagged floor while the till was checked and the days takings locked away in the office safe.

“It was six thirty when the manager was locking up and he told me that I had done alright and that I was to come at the same time each day after school but on Saturday it would be seven thirty for the full day.”

At the end of the week Christopher was paid 12 shillings and six pence.

He received a half crown piece wrapped in a 10 shilling note.

“I was also given to take home a wrap up of meat. I handed it all over and mother rooted in her purse for a six penny piece to reward me for the contribution I was making towards the housekeeping.”