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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Words by Sam Wollaston, Photography by Christopher Thomond

Wildings in Newport, Wales: the grand department store that became an illicit cannabis farm

A black-and-white photo of Wildings department store on Commercial Street, Newport, in 1911

I’m standing outside a lift in a department store in Newport, Wales, looking at the sign, wondering where to go. Stay on the ground floor for shoes, giftware and presents, ladies’ accessories and Estée Lauder? Or up to the first floor for furniture and ladies’ fashions – Annabelle, Tigi-Wear, Autonomy? It’s the second floor for cookshop and homeware. Lingerie is on three, plus Alfred’s coffee shop and tea room. Maybe I’ll go straight there for a cappuccino and a ponder …

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