Name: Peter Smith
Comment: I used to frequent Janes & Adams in High Barnet. They used to be in the High Street, a few doors down from the Red Lion pub. They closed in the 1970s, when the whole block they were in was demolished for an extension to Middlesex Polytechnic.
They were actually a electrical retailer, but the Barnet branch started selling records as well in the early 1960s.The company also had branches in Finchley Central, East Finchley, North Finchley, and Whetstone, but as far as I know, only the Barnet branch ever sold records. I bought large numbers of records from there, as I worked in the area. I remember a very attractive young lady who used to work there, but she left around 1967 to get married.
Name: Nigel Adams
Comment: Janes and Adams was started by my father's uncle early last century in Palmers Green and grew to eight shops with a head office in Whetstone, where the TV and audio repairs were done. I worked in the Barnet branch that you refer to in the 1970s in my school holiday, but sadly don't recall the pretty girl that you mention. My uncle shut it in the early 1980s due to competition from Currys/Comet, one of which has since shut due to the internet. Times change!
PS: My first car was a J&A delivery mini van which I resprayed!
(12 January 2017)
Name: John Jones
Comment: Hi, I grew up in North Finchley during the 1960s-70s. I remember J&A very well, back then they still stocked and sold bicycles.
My friend David trained as a TV engineer, I also trained but with Russell Wood, New Barnet. J&A had a very good reputation and it was sad to see another old TV electrical company close. Russell Wood followed a few years later, due to very stiff competition from the then multiple discount warehouses.
(2018)
Name: Lorraine Gardner
Comment: This was my first job after leaving school, it was a lovely environment to work in, Mr Adams was a real old gent, and I remember when he bought a red E-type Jag , and said it was his “new toy”. I had not a clue on cars! But he was very pleased with it. I remember an older lady who also worked there, her name was Mickey - short for michelle. I stayed for a couple of months until I found more local retail work, but yes, it was a lovely shop.
(2022)
4m 32s into the show.