Closed Down After 95 Years

The shop on the corner has closed its doors, victim of time's changes and the current trend of business westward up Gladstone Road. Soon "Miller's Corner" on the Lowe Street intersection will be no more.

The tobacconist business was first started by William Miller in 1876. He died in 1897 and the business was taken over by his son, William Barrington ("Billy") Miller. It was during his early days that the business became associated with the theatrical world. "Billy" Miller made arrangements for visiting theatrical companies to come to Gisborne (out of which he got his percentage) until 1930.

In 1920, after working for Mr Miller for some years Messrs Percy Bayly and George Tattersall formed a partnership with Mr Miller and, in 1930, acquired his shares in the business, The business afterwards became known as Tattersall and Bayly's.

Since 1943 the business has been owned by the father and son team of Ted and Neil Caughey. They recently shifted shop to the Peel Street corner. The Coronation Hotel building in which the shop stands is due for closure with the opening of the new Sandown Motor Hotel. Pictured in front of the shop on the last day of business, Friday, 26 February, are Messrs Neil and Ted Caughey.