The latest claim to fame in Burton's history came in January 1976 when the first 'sales only' gas shop in the country opened. The new-style showroom at Dame Paulet Square was designed to concentrate purely on the selling of gas appliances.

To mark this first for Burton and the UK as a whole, celebrity Leslie Crowther officially opened the store. Mr Crowther took time off from his pantomime in Nottingham to visit and open the 1,200 square foot store.

Peter Quinn, the East Midlands Gas marketing director, said Burton had been chosen for the venture because the town appeared to be less affected than many by the economic recession.

Mr Quinn said: "It seems that just as in good times people celebrate with a noggin, so in difficult times they need a noggin to cheer them up."

Mr Quinn also said that Burton was a town were shopping facilities were expanding and developing and it was therefore deemed suitable for new ideas that were different from the conventional showroom.

The difference with this new 'sales only' gas showroom and a traditional store was that it would not deal with accounts or spare parts – these would continue to be based at the Guild Street showroom.

As the store was a new idea, the cost of equipping it was kept to a minimum with the Emgas display centre making and installing the shop fittings. The design was so unique that the whole shop could be stripped out and refurbished with new displays and appliances within a single day.

Among the guests at the opening ceremony were Councillor Caulton, the chairman of East Staffordshire District Council. Also present was councillor Hawcroft, the chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council and Councillor Roberts, Burton's Town Mayor.

After the official opening, television actor and celebrity Leslie Crowther signed autographs for shoppers. The opening offer which hoped to attract plenty of buyers was the inclusion of an oven-ready chicken with every appliance.