PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR

Some Memories of the 1980's

By Kate Wells

In the mid 1970's Parfums Christian Dior opened office and warehouse facilities on the Avis Way Industrial Estate to distribute perfume and cosmetics across the UK. Shipments from France would arrive on a regular basis and was good business for the port.

In October 1978 they moved to larger premises on the Hawthorne Estate (now the Highgate Academy) and occupied the entire building when Moet-Hennessy joined them the following year.

The photograph was take in the mid 1980's and, together with Moet, PCD employed about 50 local people, and were very good to work for, with plenty of perks including a weekend trip to Epernay to the Moet & Chandon cellars in 1985.

There was also a display department in a separate building. They constructed displays for shops and department stores.

I worked for the company from 1978 to 1998 and they continued operating in Newhaven until 2002, when they moved to Surrey.

I can attest to those regular shipments. My job in the mid 80's involved clearing all their imports through Customs. Anyone else have memories of PCD?
Andy-Editor.