The closure of a store which has spanned the ages has struck a chord with generations of families throughout Tynedale.

Readers of the Hexham Courant recalled their favourite memories of Hexham’s former flagship store on social media after it closed on Monday.

Philip Barret said: “I dated the cute girl at the record counter – we’re still married 42 years later.”

The record counter, where some readers recalled buying the single Bohemian Rhapsody for 50p, as well as Slade singles and the Wombling Songs LP, was one of many popular sections of the store.

The store was also the place where many schoolchildren got their first Saturday jobs. Mike Robinson recalled playing in the Robbs’ cricket and football teams, and being summoned up to former owner Mr Robb’s office to receive a hearty congratulations after every win.

Joan Clark got her first job in lingerie department in 1976 selling corsets, celanese knickers and long line bras. "It was a learning experience with Mrs Wray (head of department) and Mrs Sanderson," she said.

The numerous departments across the four floors meant that many visitors used the shop for a variety of purposes.

Ruth Golightly said she visited the salon, bought white lace fingerless gloves to look like Madonna, worked in the restaurant as a waitress, while also spending Saturday afternoons in the shop with her friends.

Alex Bowyer recalled times when he would browse inside the WHSmiths as a teen in the late 80s/early 90s. "All the pop magazines like Smash Hits and Big! And buying tape and later CD singles from the music department, Panini stickers too. New stationery for school. I think it was my second favourite shop in Hexham at that age (after Woolworths with its bargain bin CDs)."

The store's size and prominent town centre location meant it was a meeting point for people of all ages. Tracy Whitfield Scandle said: "Meeting friends in the cafe at a weekend back in the 70s. Riding up and down in the lift and following the lady store detective around."

Eric Gordon added: "The place was like a maze. We always used to find our way up to the 'hidden cafe' on the top floor and get a bowl of chips on a Saturday afternoon and share them between about six of us."

Stuart Clark also has fond memories of the cafe, regularly travelling down from Brownrigg School in Bellingham.

Philip Irwin added: "Cheese scones and hot chocolate in the cafe as a kid and then sprucing myself up like a right bobby dazzler in ‘top shop’ a few years later."

John Judson worked at the store on weekends between 1964 and 1965 while at school. He said: “You always asked the posh ladies if you could carry their groceries to their car for the big tip.”

Thomas Wright even recalled the time he met England's World Cup Final hero Sir Geoff Hurst inside the store.

Margaret Walter said she worked in the store with her three sisters, brother and parents and that it was “such a big part of all our lives”.

“It used to be such an amazing store. There was nothing you couldn’t buy there, but times change and where people choose to shop has changed and now all that is left is an empty shell,” she added.

Pauline Green, who worked at the store, said: “It’s the end of an era for Hexham – it’s very sad. I remember when it was Robbs and it was a thriving business.”

Jo Curry said: "Very sad that it’s come to this. I’ve so many memories of this department store as a child growing up in Hexham, a teen an adult and then taking my own kids in here to shop for over 25 years. Met so many members of staff over the years and made many friends within the store."

Bill Moulding added: " Like it or lump it, Robbs of Hexham was part of our town. Use it on wet day to cut the corner off, sure to meet a familiar face and as for the staff some were an absolute delight. Good toy department for the kids, enjoyed browsing round books, magazines, papers and the cafe wasn’t bad. I gather the latest incumbent wasn’t so fondly remembered, but I will miss it."