I think the original Pauldens that burned down was on the same road where the dental hospital is now but further down nearer town, can't remember the rd name. In the early 60's there was a store on Market St called Henrys and a shoe shop on High St called Derbers selling wonderful stilleto's, i blame them even now for my "dodgy" feet!!
Henry Barrie's was in St Anne's Sq., Pinkhazel, but Henry's was a department store on Market St and Paulen's was somewhere nearby, can't quite remember where. I too went to Henry Barrie's for my school uniform - in my case the knickers were bottle green!
One year I went to a Christmas party for the children of the employees ( I must have been about 6). It was held upstairs somewhere in a room with a small stage.
Wasn't Pauldens in what is now Debenhams on market st?I Remember the fire at the store on Stretford Rd. We walked there from Ardwick to watch it, but can't remeber what year it was.
Thanks Charter. It probably was the exhibition room, I just wasn't sure as all I can remember is it seeming very big. I was stood on the stage singing Silent Night getting all the words wrong . I think Henry's was where BHS is now, my memory isn't as good as it used to be.