The current proprietors of the business are Mr. Tom Watterson, Mrs. Maretta
Watterson and Miss Kathryn Watterson. Tom's father, Leonard, started the
business in Omagh in 1938 and the shop at 37 High Street opened for trading
on Thursday 27th October. To celebrate this occasion there was a BIG OPENING
SALE with a fantastic opening offer of FREE PANTS - "To introduce our
tailoring department we are offering Extra Pants Free with our 50/- Made
to-measure Suit". Tom joined the staff in 1962 and after his father's death
in 1964 he had to take over the reins. Since then it has gone from strength
to strength and now is one of the towns most established businesses. The shop
has remained in the same premises since 1938, but there have been several
renovations and improvements over the years. Despite suffering loss and
damage during the troubles the business has always managed to bounce back
again thanks to the many loyal customers it has, it still remains as one of
the leading stores in the area. It is impossible to tell you everything about
Wattersons history, but below are some of the most notable dates concerning
the shop so far:-
1951 | First renovation of the building. Living accommodation at the rear of the shop was turned into shop floor space.
1974 | A fire started in an adjoining business and spread to the first floor and roof of the shop. The upstairs section was completely gutted and the roof destroyed.
1976 | Second renovation saw an extension built to the rear of the shop creating more sales floor space. At the same time 35 High Street came on the market so Tom bought the Model Bakery premises and knocked the two buildings into one.
1978 | On the 14th November a car bomb exploded in Bridge Street, outside Kinloch's butcher shop. The exterior of the shop was badly damaged. Five days later an incendiary device was left in the ladies fashion department upstairs. Fire destroyed the first floor and water caused damage to the ground floor. The shop closed from 20th to the 29th.
1979 | A car bomb close to our premises, went off in April causing yet more exterior damage. The device was parked outside the old AIB Bank in High Street (now LEDU office).
1983 | At the heart of the Christmas rush the shop was devastated again with a third car bomb placed outside the Royal Arms Hotel. On the 16th December the roof and windows were wrecked again.
1988 | In October Wattersons celebrated it's Golden Jubilee. A special discount event was put on and commemorative pens were issued to regular customers.
1989 | From 13th November the shop opened for six days in the week. It was traditional for shopkeepers to close on a Wednesday but times were now changing giving the public more opportunity to shop.
1992 | Third and most dramatic renovation saw the rear of the shop demolished and built up again taking in more ground. A second floor was added to the rear for storage space. While the work was being carried out in High Street, the mens, boys and casual departments moved to temporary premises in Scarffes Entry. The shop was completely refitted after the building work was completed.
1997 | The shop front was given a facelift. Windows and the roof were renewed and the paintwork was freshened up.
1998 | A car bomb went off in Market Street killing Ann McCombe, Geraldine Breslin and Veda Short. Three of our girls were gone in an instant. It was, and still is, unbelievable that this could have happened to our working family. Doreen Preston suffered horrific injuries and has not returned to work. We think of these girls every day; what Ann, Geraldine and Veda suffered in death and what Doreen has to suffer in life.
2004 | Irene Lyons leaves us in September after 55 years of dedicated service.
2005 | Carol Hagan, David Emery, Mervyn Robinson, Ryan Mills and Neville Hagan ran in the Belfast City Marathon. Through fundraising and sponsorship the staff raised £6750.00 which was given to the Meningitis Trust.
2008 | The business celebrated its 70th Anniversary of trading at High Street in Omagh. A special Anniversary Gift Token giveaway took place in October and November. Special Anniversary pens were also given out to customers and friends. Tom also purchased the adjoining premises formerly known as Gallagher's Bar at 39 High Street.
2009 | Tom's eldest daughter, Kathryn, joins the family business after completing University and then spending two years with Shaws in the Republic of Ireland.
2010 | Work started on the construction of our passenger lift at Easter. The toilets at the rear of Gallagher's were tossed and the lift shaft rose to a height of 40 feet! The lift was commissioned for use at the start of November. Ongoing work is being carried out to resite the front stairs into the old entry between the shop and Gallagher's.
2011 | Renovation work was completed in March with a new staircase leading to the first floor - this saw a major change to the layout of the shop as you enter the main door.
1951 | First renovation of the building. Living accommodation at the rear of the shop was turned into shop floor space.
1974 | A fire started in an adjoining business and spread to the first floor and roof of the shop. The upstairs section was completely gutted and the roof destroyed.
1976 | Second renovation saw an extension built to the rear of the shop creating more sales floor space. At the same time 35 High Street came on the market so Tom bought the Model Bakery premises and knocked the two buildings into one.
1978 | On the 14th November a car bomb exploded in Bridge Street, outside Kinloch's butcher shop. The exterior of the shop was badly damaged. Five days later an incendiary device was left in the ladies fashion department upstairs. Fire destroyed the first floor and water caused damage to the ground floor. The shop closed from 20th to the 29th.
1979 | A car bomb close to our premises, went off in April causing yet more exterior damage. The device was parked outside the old AIB Bank in High Street (now LEDU office).
1983 | At the heart of the Christmas rush the shop was devastated again with a third car bomb placed outside the Royal Arms Hotel. On the 16th December the roof and windows were wrecked again.
1988 | In October Wattersons celebrated it's Golden Jubilee. A special discount event was put on and commemorative pens were issued to regular customers.
1989 | From 13th November the shop opened for six days in the week. It was traditional for shopkeepers to close on a Wednesday but times were now changing giving the public more opportunity to shop.
1992 | Third and most dramatic renovation saw the rear of the shop demolished and built up again taking in more ground. A second floor was added to the rear for storage space. While the work was being carried out in High Street, the mens, boys and casual departments moved to temporary premises in Scarffes Entry. The shop was completely refitted after the building work was completed.
1997 | The shop front was given a facelift. Windows and the roof were renewed and the paintwork was freshened up.
1998 | A car bomb went off in Market Street killing Ann McCombe, Geraldine Breslin and Veda Short. Three of our girls were gone in an instant. It was, and still is, unbelievable that this could have happened to our working family. Doreen Preston suffered horrific injuries and has not returned to work. We think of these girls every day; what Ann, Geraldine and Veda suffered in death and what Doreen has to suffer in life.
2004 | Irene Lyons leaves us in September after 55 years of dedicated service.
2005 | Carol Hagan, David Emery, Mervyn Robinson, Ryan Mills and Neville Hagan ran in the Belfast City Marathon. Through fundraising and sponsorship the staff raised £6750.00 which was given to the Meningitis Trust.
2008 | The business celebrated its 70th Anniversary of trading at High Street in Omagh. A special Anniversary Gift Token giveaway took place in October and November. Special Anniversary pens were also given out to customers and friends. Tom also purchased the adjoining premises formerly known as Gallagher's Bar at 39 High Street.
2009 | Tom's eldest daughter, Kathryn, joins the family business after completing University and then spending two years with Shaws in the Republic of Ireland.
2010 | Work started on the construction of our passenger lift at Easter. The toilets at the rear of Gallagher's were tossed and the lift shaft rose to a height of 40 feet! The lift was commissioned for use at the start of November. Ongoing work is being carried out to resite the front stairs into the old entry between the shop and Gallagher's.
2011 | Renovation work was completed in March with a new staircase leading to the first floor - this saw a major change to the layout of the shop as you enter the main door.
