For the former Knutsford business prided itself on quality, quantity and speedy deliveries.

"By uniformly keeping a higher standard of quality than can usually be obtained, and being large buyers for cash, we are in the position to give the best possible value," wrote a company spokesman in their revised cash price booklet in 1914.

The business - which traded from a shop in King Street and Church Hill - was founded in 1852 and rapidly became one of the most successful of its kind in the district.

Last week local historian Joan Leach loaned the Knutsford Guardian a copy of the 167-page booklet listing Watson's prices for everything from cooking acid to eight different types of almonds.

Also included are delivery times.

All customers are asked to do is let the staff have their orders as early as possible to 'obviate disappointing delays in the delivery of goods'.

The introduction boasted about the shop's varied stock and the book goes on to prove the point.

The shop seemed to sell a wealth of products - everything from baking powders and beef extracts to polishing pads, peaches and parmesan cheese.

Soap seemed to play an important role in the life of Knutsford's shoppers, with 16 pages dedicated to the brands on offer.

Alongside the advert for Pears is the pledge: "I could sell you an imitation at half the money and make more profit on it too, but I should be only swindling you if I did."

Prices for medicines are followed by the cost of cigars, tobaccos and cigarettes, wines and spirits.

Watson and Son finished trading in the 1950s. Today holiday company Going Places occupies the site where the famous store once stood.

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