Bookshops always have an important place in a university city and many residents of Durham will remember The House of Andrews, in Saddler Street.

Founded in 1808 by George Andrews, the son of a Durham draper, the shop's early customers included William Van Mildert, the last Prince Bishop of Durham.

From the very beginning, the shop had an important place as a cultural institution in the city, and in 1816 it published Robert Surtees' famous four-volume History of Durham, a publication still regarded as the classic history of the county.

Sir Walter Scott was among the many people who bought it.

Mr Andrews owned the business until his death in 1832. His son, also called George, succeeded him, and it was in this year that the University of Durham was founded. Andrews was appointed as the university's official bookseller.

George died in 1861 but the business remained under the proprietorship of the family until 1895. In that year, Warneford Smart acquired the business and moved premises.

The House of Andrews had been located at 64 Saddler Street (later The Northern Echo's offices) but it moved to number 74. This property had been the site of a bookseller in the 18th Century and was also once the home of Ainsley the Printer.

Ainsley had been a key figure in the development of Durham's famous, but short-lived, mustard-making business.

Mr Smart, an old acquaintance of Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, was proprietor of the Andrews shop until retirement in 1963. He died two years later at the age of 100.

Changes were made in 1963 when four young businessmen joined forces and bought the shop, selling records, paperbacks, sheet music and stationery. They altered the layout and colour of the building and were praised for their part in the overall improvement of Saddler Street.

Robert Downing, a 29-year-old record seller from Teesside, headed the business. His department provided stereo "listening cubicles".

Another partner was Durham-born John Bartle, who took charge of stationery. He would later become the proprietor of the city's railway station shop.

Also born in Durham was Ted Moulding, in charge of selling the books. Well known for his appearances in amateur operatic and drama performances in the city, at 37 he was the oldest of the four and known to the partners as "our dad".

Mr Moulding was also well known for his work in connection with the Durham Regatta.

The fourth partner was Peter Sproule, a professional singer and expert on sheet music.

A restaurant was added to the shop around 1964.

The House of Andrews continued in business until 1980 when it was no longer considered profitable as a small concern. It was taken over by Martin the Newsagent, and later John Menzies, which continued operating it as a Hammicks bookshop until about 1993.

For a time it was the home of a wine seller but is now a designer clothes shop. It is easily recognised by the distinctive teapot outside the shop, of which more at a later date.

Published: 07/02/2003

If you have any memories of Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside or the Durham coast, including old photos or stories of people and places you would like to share with readers of The Northern Echo, write to David Simpson, Durham Memories, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF or email David.Simpson@nne.co.uk. All photos will be returned.