Those of a certain age might remember with fondness the bustling Golders Green Highstreet of the 1960s and 1970s. 

For one retired retailer, Leonard Soames, who is a member of Highgate Synagogue, it was home to his fashion chain Snob which brought the swinging style of the sixties to the nation. 

Founded by Mr Soames and Phillip Hillman, Snob was a pioneer in bringing a rich mix of catwalk glamour to the shoppers of Golders Green looking for something to wear for their next simcha or event. 

"It was the most exciting time for fashion and the Highstreet," he told the JC as he released himself out of retirement to launch a bag in the style of the store's iconic logo to raise money for charity. 

Shop snob

Inside a Snob store

A portion of the profits of every bag sold is being donated to Prostate Cancer UK in memory of his late business partner Phillip Hillman.

Having been bored in lockdown like many of us and reminiscing of his years as retail giant, with the help of his son James, Mr Soames decided to take a gamble into the world of online retail and start selling the iconic Big Snob Bag. 

"It’s the perfect fashion accessory for everything from carting books to college and doing the weekly shop to hanging out in coffee shops," Mr Soames explained enthusiastically. 

"I hope people who remember the stores, (there were over 30 nationwide) will remember the fun they had in them. The Snob days were something else you didn't need drink or take drugs the fashion was electric."

In the 1960s the pair started the business with £500 each and went to the bank who matched them providing them with enough money to open a store. 

Snob tote bag

Snob tote bag available online

Mr Soames said: "It was 1965 when we first opened, we took £265 in a day. It was amazing something was happening with fashion and we were on top of it. We were very theatrical and I don't think there is anything like that on the Highstreet now."

Made from ethically sourced canvas cotton, the Snob bag is 43cm x 43cm and now comes with new longer handles so you can wear it as a tote or as a conventional shopping bag.

According to Mr Soames "Snob was always synonymous with clothes people could never turn their noses up at. Classy yet classless. Colourful yet cool." 

The retailer, who is 88, decided to he wanted to dip his toe back into the business because "if you don't use it you lose it."  

He told the JC: "Sadly the opening of Brent Cross killed the Golders Green business. When the BHS business collapsed, we set about buying back the rights to the logo." 

The bag can be bought for £15 plus postage and 50p from every sale goes to Prostate Cancer UK. 

"We have already sold 150 and have 350 to go," he said.