Here is Touchwood Sports in 1975.
Here is Abingdon Sports in 2017.
It is still a stockist for the leading names in quality sports equipment. However, Yonex is now far more evident than Dunlops and Slazenger.
In 1975 if you got a tennis racket it would most likely be Dunlops or Slazenger. They supplied the rackets that helped Bjorn Borg win Wimbledon several times, but then got into financial problems and were brought up by Sports Direct as part of its rapid expansion in 2004.
Do I detect a “shops that smell of rubber” theme?
Sarah – Does that mean the next business history article will be regarding the building presently occupied by Merityre opposite Coxeters?
Well, if it doesn’t I think it should …
I remember Touchwoods in the Vineyard (near the Radley Road junction) when I was at school. I used to buy camping and climbing equipment there in the late 1960’s.