Jacksons of Reading is a rabbit warren of a department store in Reading, Berkshire, England where you can get all those things you can’t find anywhere else and in a fabulous environment with lots of wood panelling, wood and drawers and counters. For example gifts, accessories, sewing stuff, knitting stuff (I found acrylic made in England from companies like Robins but sadly no British wool), linens and haberdashery, textiles, a good shoe department (specialising in wider fittings) and a large crafts section. They have a massive school and scout uniforms department, dancewear, bowls clothes, lingerie, nightwear, ladies fashions and a superb menswear department. Yesterday (8.12.12) the store was quite busy and I came across UK made HJ Hall socks at very reasonable prices and lovely James Aubrey men’s duffle coats. You’ll find brands like Peter England, Tootal, Somax and Double Two here too, but these days such brands manufacture abroad. Plus they have a great suits department and they sell things like British made braces. Look for the giant Jacksons Corner neon lights! Open Mon-Sat 09:00 – 17:30. The store unashamedly markets itself at the over 40s and prides itself on serving customers. This is most definitely not a self-service store. It is a beautiful building inside and out, with a fabulous pneumatic tubes system to handle cash. Founded in 1875 and still family run, this store is a must visit place when shopping in Reading.
http://www.jacksonsofreading.co.uk
Shelves, drawers & Belts at Jacsons of Reading (menswear) May 2008
Jacksons bags
Jacksons of Reading still has an operational Lamson pneumatic tube system with nine stations over two floors, dating from the 1960s
One of the first Jacksons receipts
Jacksons of Reading Department Store, December 2012
ukmade - UK Made Products - BRITISH MADE 
I learned the other day that the iconic historic Reading department store Jacksons of Reading is to close soon apparently. The current Mr Jackson cited competition from the Oracle shopping centre and a lack of lifts as to blame over a need to modernise. This will be a big loss to the town if and when it happens. It is not clear why it is not closing immediately but I assume the business is up for sale.
https://audioboo.fm/boos/998335-boss-of-an-iconic-department-store-jackson-s-in-reading-tells-bbc-radio-berkshire-he-s-very-hurt-that-news-leaked-out-that-they-were-closing-down
The store will close at Christmas 2013 unless a buyer is found apparently 😦
Remember it well and with affection. Had a neighbour – Mr Lay – who worked there behind the counter and was taken there often enough for my own clothes in post-war Britain. Bob Crew, author of “Mandela: His Life and Legacy for South Africa and The World.” The hardcover version is listed on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Mandela-Legacy-South-Africa-World/dp/1629143375/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0 and on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19520182-mandela?from_search=true. Also on kindle and in the African bookshops.
Jacksons will be sadly missed. There are few, if any, stores like this now. Good luck with your book.