Remember the days when a trip to the high street meant browsing through grand department stores? I remember the Big Back to School Shop when we’d be dragged around BHS, C&A, Debenhams, and Woolies to get all the clothes, shoes, and stationary we’d need for the coming year. It was like a weird military operation with reluctant kids being forced into shirts, skirts, shoes, and trousers over and over again.
As an adult, however, I loved many of these stores, and it’s so sad that they’re no longer here. These retail giants were more than just shops; they were social hubs, architectural marvels, and guardians of British retail tradition. And they provided countless jobs for people from all walks of life right across the country.
From London to Glasgow, these stores shaped our shopping habits and held a special place in our hearts. As online shopping and changing consumer trends have led to the closure of many beloved department stores, we can’t help but feel nostalgic for the golden age of British retail. Join us on a trip down memory lane as we revisit 15 iconic department stores that left an indelible mark on British shopping culture.
Debenhams
Debenhams was a staple of British high streets for over 200 years. Founded in 1778, it grew from a single store in London to a nationwide chain. Debenhams was known for its wide range of products, from clothing to homewares, and its popular Blue Cross sales. The closure of its last store in 2021 marked the end of an era for British retail.
British Home Stores (BHS)
BHS was a beloved fixture on British high streets for 88 years. It offered affordable fashion, homeware, and lighting, making it a go-to destination for many shoppers. The store’s cafe was a popular meeting spot for friends and families. BHS closed its doors in 2016, leaving a gap in the hearts of many loyal customers.
Woolworths
Affectionately known as “Woolies,” this store held a special place in British culture for nearly a century. It was famous for its pick ‘n’ mix sweets, affordable homewares, and chart-topping music selection. Woolworths was often the first stop for children spending their pocket money. Its closure in 2009 left many feeling that a piece of their childhood had disappeared.
C&A
C&A brought affordable European fashion to British high streets. It was known for its own-brand clothing lines and its modern approach to retail. The store was particularly popular with families looking for good value clothing. C&A left the UK market in 2001, but many still fondly remember its colourful displays and trendy fashions.
Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson was a fashion-forward department store, particularly known for its connection to Topshop, which originally launched as a section within the store. It was a must-visit for stylish shoppers in the 60s and 70s. As trends shifted, the Peter Robinson name faded away, but its legacy lives on through Topshop’s impact on British fashion.
Allders
Allders was once the third-largest department store group in the UK. Its flagship store in Croydon was the largest department store in England outside of London. Allders was known for its wide range of products and its bargain basement. The closure of the last Allders store in 2012 marked the end of a 150-year retail legacy.
Lewis’s
Lewis’s was a beloved department store chain primarily serving the North of England and Scotland. It was famous for its grand architecture and its iconic statue “Liverpool Resurgent.” Lewis’s was more than just a shop; it was a social hub where people would meet “under the clock.” The closure of the last Lewis’s store in 2010 was a sad day for many northern shoppers.
Owen Owen
Owen Owen was a Liverpool-based department store chain that expanded across the UK. It was known for its quality merchandise and excellent customer service. The store often featured local products, supporting the communities it served. Owen Owen’s closure in 2007 left many loyal customers without their favourite shopping destination.
Army & Navy Stores
Army & Navy Stores began as a cooperative for military officers but grew into a popular department store chain. It was known for its high-quality goods and its iconic store on Victoria Street in London. The store offered a unique shopping experience, blending military precision with retail luxury. Its closure in 2005 marked the end of a 134-year retail legacy.
Littlewoods
Littlewoods was more than just a department store; it was a British institution. Famous for its catalogues and football pools, Littlewoods also had a significant high street presence. The stores offered a wide range of products, from clothing to electricals. While Littlewoods continues online, the closure of its physical stores in 2005 left many shoppers feeling nostalgic.
Binns
Binns was a much-loved department store chain serving the North East of England and Scotland. It was known for its quality products and its grand tea rooms. Binns stores were often housed in impressive buildings that dominated town centres. The absorption of Binns into House of Fraser in the 1950s marked the end of a distinct northern retail tradition.
Hammonds
Hammonds was a Hull-based department store chain that was a fixture of many northern high streets. It was known for its wide range of products and its popular restaurants. Hammonds stores were often at the heart of their local communities. The chain’s closure in the 1970s left a gap in many town centres that is still felt today.
Bobby & Co.
Bobby & Co. was a chain of department stores that served the south of England. It was known for its elegant stores and high-quality merchandise. Bobby & Co. stores were often social hubs, with their cafes and restaurants being popular meeting spots. The chain’s absorption into Debenhams in the 1970s marked the end of a beloved southern retail institution.
Williams & Griffin
Williams & Griffin was a much-loved department store in Colchester, Essex. It was known for its wide range of products and its excellent customer service. The store was a cornerstone of Colchester’s high street for over 200 years. Its rebranding as Fenwick in 2016 marked the end of a local retail legend, though the store itself continues to serve the community.
Kendals
Kendals, officially known as Kendal Milne & Co., was a Manchester institution for over 180 years. The store was renowned for its luxurious offerings and stunning Art Deco building on Deansgate. Kendals was often referred to as the “Harrods of the North” due to its high-end reputation. Although it was acquired by House of Fraser in 1959, it retained its local name and character until 2005, much to the delight of Manchester shoppers.
Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
