Thanks Dave.
It was a rather posh gent's-wear shop. I was sat on a step opposite trying to work out how to make an interesting image of another scene involving the place next door, when I noticed the shadows on the rails in the shop. It was obviously closing down. I went in and told the owner that I had an impertinent question for him! He was very accommodating because he is a photographer himself and was looking forward to his imminent retirement.