Челтнемдегі 201 жылдық Cavendish House тарихының аяқталуы

Cavendish House was Cheltenham's oldest department store (established in 1823), located on The Promenade. Its establishment was of great significance for Cheltenham's future reputation as a leading shopping centre. Known as 'Cavendish House' from its early days, its name was officially adopted with the registration of a limited liability company in 1883. The store became part of the House of Fraser group in 1970. The store closed in April 2024, after 201 years.

In December 1813, Thomas Clark, who was the owner of a small drapery shop at 44 Wigmore Street, close to Cavendish Square, London, England, assumed William Debenham as an equal partner, and thereafter the firm traded as Clark & Debenham. The shop was later renamed Cavendish House and carried drapery, silks, haberdashery, millinery, hosiery, lace and family mourning goods. As the trade grew, the partners determined to expand the business by opening provincial branches in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, and Harrogate, Yorkshire, England. was purchased on favourable terms. The acquisition was financed by the issue, in November 1903, of £20,000 of debentures. During 1904, the company also purchased 56 Regent Street, London, which was used for the bedding department. In 1920, a gentlemen's outfitter and music shop were acquired with capital raised by the issue of a further £30,000 of debentures, and, in 1928, a site in Regent's Mews, formerly a livery stable, was acquired and opened as showrooms. In 1951, Cavendish House bought Cheltenham drapers Ayris Ltd, also based on the Promenade. In 1957, the company opened a branch store in Oxford Street, London, but it proved impossible to manage effectively from a distance and the venture was closed within three months. In 1961, a controlling interest in both Cavendish House Co Ltd and Morgan Squire Ltd was acquired by Swears & Wells Ltd (1926), a London based company specialising in the development and sale of retail space. The following year, the Cavendish House Co Ltd shares again changed hands passing to JJ Allen Ltd, department store group based in Bournemouth, England. In 1970, J J Allen Ltd was acquired by House of Fraser plc.

In January 2024 the closure of the store was announced. The store closed on 11 April 2024