Oakley Stores

A Memory of Fleet.

Wow when I saw their was the a photo of the family's famous store, the store that my dad told me was the equivalent to the first large department store like Debenhams I was amazed, I only wish their were more! My great Great Grandfather James Oakley was the owner to the store and lived near by with this his wife and children. On his death in 1920 he donated land to the community that is know now as Oakley Park and there is even a little information board about him. The shop sold everything, groceries, bicycle and much more it even had a funeral parlour! Now the only part that remains is now a pub know as the Old Emporium pub, But remnants' to the store can still be seen with its clock tower, arched entrances and checker board external tilling.
The Oakley's remained in fleet for the rest of their lives and are buried in All Saints Church with a stain glass window in side the church in memory to their daughter who passed away when she was only 14.
Its so strange trying to map out were things were comparing old Fleet to New Fleet but its so interesting.