Panic at Hucknall, 1914

War Fears prompt a run on local Traders

From The Hucknall Dispatch, 10th December 1914:-

"The people of Hucknall were panicky on Wednesday morning, an unprecedented rush being made upon the grocers and provision dealers.   

"Those people ought to be taken by the scruffs of their necks and placed in the nearest lunatic asylum".

"No sooner were the doors opened than the shopmen were besieged with anxious customers, and it was a relief to them when the time came for the usual half-holiday.  As it was, the people were confronted with higher prices on all hands, but the desire prevailed to lay in further stocks lest even higher prices should rule in a few days' time.  After the first rushes for provisions, the people are no calmer, and those who charge high prices will suffer in the end. 

"Another point on which we should like to lay the very greatest emphasis is with regard to the banks.  There are a few people we believe, who are contemplating drawing their money out of the banks and burying it somewhere in a stocking.  Those people ought to be taken by the scruffs of their necks and placed in the nearest lunaticc asylum.  Have not they, we wonder, the sense to see that their money is safer in the banks than it can possibly be elsewhere?  This war is not going to last for ever, and it is not going to destroy the property which stands as security for the banks.  If panic can be avoided and the banks are treated in the ordinary way as if there were no war, they will go on in the ordinary way, and there will be no trouble".

[Researched by Jim Grundy]