IN the summer of 1956, a well-known Wisbech business was celebrating the silver jubilee of opening its Nene Quay premises. Sidney Fell was the man behind Fell s Ltd, a business which, by the 1950s, had 14 branches in five counties. Mr Fell started in the

IN the summer of 1956, a well-known Wisbech business was celebrating the silver jubilee of opening its Nene Quay premises.

Sidney Fell was the man behind Fell's Ltd, a business which, by the 1950s, had 14 branches in five counties.

Mr Fell started in the cycle trade as an apprentice shortly after the First World War, working an 11-hour day for 4s (20p) a week.

After gaining experience, he was offered the managership of a store but, in 1924, with capital of £500, he decided to open his first shop in Norfolk Street, Wisbech.

Within 12 months, he had opened a branch in Downham Market and bought an existing business in Nene Quay. In 1926, he opened premises in Station Road, March, and his empire continued to expand throughout East Anglia, with his main depot at King's Lynn.

Business boomed to include radio sets and electrical goods, while at Christmas Meccano, Hornby train sets and Dinky toys were popular.