Mr Victor Russell

Wednesday 16th October 2024 Speaker: Mr Victor Russell:
Proprietor of Russell’s Clothing and Shoe Shop, High Street Omagh
Topic: “My Life and Times”

In keeping with a long-standing tradition in Omagh Probus Club that new members speak about “Their Life and Times”, Mr Victor Russell gave a fascinating talk about Russell’s family business on Omagh High Street. Victor’s first foray into business was in his teenage years when he and a friend created a fledgling philately business – buying and selling colourful postage stamps from around the world. It did not fly. At University he took a degree in Business Studies followed by a post-graduate course in Economics. During his time at “uni” he travelled extensively in the United States, paying for his trip with his earnings from work on an ice cream van.

Back home in Omagh employment in London beckoned but he was drawn into the family business on the short term to help out when his father became unwell.  What began as a temporary arrangement became permanent, provoked in part by a car bomb in 1978 at the old Town Hall which did severe structural damage to Russell’s.  Victor took the opportunity to rebuild, refurbish and reconfigure the shop, with a new frontage, new counters, new displays and, most significantly, new stock.  To make a long story short, Victor’s life’s work has been to stay abreast of the times, ever on the alert for changes in fashion and new trends.  The level of success which his shop enjoys has been achieved by securing a number of franchises, notably Kickers and United Colors of Benetton, as well as making regular buying trips to major footwear events in Europe, notably in Milan in Italy.

Victor illustrated his talk with a wide selection of photographs taken down the years. Now semi-retired Victor is happy to let his son, Josh, take over, while he enjoys a well-earned retirement, from one of Omagh’s most successful and respected businesses.