By Nora Parminter

CREDITON trader, Simon Lee took over the running of A E Lee Outfitters, on April 1, 1993 when his father, Bert, retired.

The shop at 17 High Street was established, 100 years ago, by his grandfather Albert Lee in 1915, who bought the property after the death of the previous owner, Mr Charles Kiell who also ran a gentleman’s outfitters.

A E Lee’s is one of the most distinguished buildings on Crediton High Street and was originally a bank, which opened in 1863.

Simon’s grandfather had served his apprenticeship in London, Blandford Forum and Exeter - he was not called up for the Great War because he failed his medical.

In 1946 Simon’s father returned from five and a half years’ service in the RAF as an instrument repairer, having worked in the UK and in Egypt.

Because Albert was then in poor health, Simon’s father took complete control of the running of the family business.

Simon went to school in Crediton and then worked as a print finisher for Phillips & Co, Crediton for five years and spent a further seven years with Fyne Papers at Plymouth.

When Simon took over the business he and his family moved into the flat over the High Street shop and Simon’s parents moved to premises behind the shop.

Simon being the third generation Lee to continue the family business is a part of what makes A E Lee so special.

His wife, Gill helps in the shop as well as dealing with all the paperwork. Her mother Pauline Staite worked at the shop for many years.

Margaret Kenshole became part of the team when Ivor Coram’s, shoe shop on the High Street closed.

Simon and his team are committed to traditional values and believe in giving a good customer service and offer a warm, friendly welcome to customers – even if they just pop in for a chat!

He aims to provide good quality clothing at competitive prices and stocks a large range of makes including Craghopper, Heat Holders, Peter England, Viyella, Double Two, Franco Ponti (Italian knitwear), Hawick (lambswool knitwear), H J Socks (including softops), Jockey, Regatta, Champion, Wolsey, Farah trousers, Failsworth hats, Somax pyjamas and many more. A new range of Lochcarron woven scarves from Scotland are now in stock and make ideal Christmas gifts.

A E Lee also caters for larger sizes and can usually order items which are not in stock.

Shoppers in the town will be aware that Simon regularly up-dates his window displays to show customers a small selection of what’s available in the shop. Special offers are sometimes available too and the shop is currently offering a range of money-off vouchers (see the advertisement on this page for details).

A large number of local customers, as well as customers from all over the world, visit A E Lee Outfitters for competitively priced, good quality clothing they can trust.

Simon and his team would like to thank, family, friends and customers for all their support over the years.