Skegness Magazine

Skegness Tradesman’s Affairs

The first meeting of the creditors of William Dowse, China and General Stores, High Street, Skegness, was held at the office of the Official Receiver, at Boston, on Tuesday, the Official Receiver (Mr F C Brogden) presiding.
The statement of affairs showed liabilities of £749 11s 8d, and deficiency of £355 3s.
The debtor, who is 65, attributed his failure to falling off in takings since the outbreak of the war. A basketmaker by trade, he opened a drapers shop at Louth 41 years ago, without capital. His brother-in-law, a draper at Grimsby, supplied him with goods. The debtor also worked at his trade. After three years he compounded with his creditors.

In 1886 he resumed business as a fancy dealer in Eastgate, Louth, and then moved into the Marketplace. Subsequently he made another arrangement with his creditors, and again went out of business.
In January, 1899, the debtor took the Osborne Temperance Hotel at Skegness, where he also carried on business in a small way as a china dealer.

In April, 1910,this business was removed to High Street, Skegness. He left the Temperance Hotel in January, 1913, and the furniture, fixtures, etc., were sold for £230 to his son-in-law. The debtor then went to reside in Wainfleet Road, Skegness, where his wife had taken a house and let apartments. The brother-in-law failed and emigrated, and debtor was called upon to pay bills amounting to £115, which had been in his name. This he was unable to do, and he arranged with his creditors to pay a composition of 4s 6d in the pound, and by continuing his business, and working as a basketmaker he paid the amount required in twelve months.
A trustee was appointed.

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News 1915