Jolly’s – now owned by Frasers Group – started as a linen drapery trader before setting up shop in Bath (Picture: Somerset Live/BPM Media)
An iconic department store is closing down after 200 years in the heart of Bath.
Closing sale signs, offering 20% off, appeared in the windows of Jolly’s this week, much to the surprise of Bath and North East Somerset Council, which owns the building.
The store, part of House of Fraser since the 1970s, survived a cull of most of the brand’s outlets when it went into administration in 2018.
‘Since then the council has been working hard to ensure a secure future for this flagship store at the heart of the Milsom Quarter’, a statement issued by the local authority said.
‘A significant element of the plan is to make Jolly’s once again the anchor store for Milsom Street, and a programme of works, which are already underway, will see significant investment in the building over the coming months.
‘The council was unaware of the intention of the current occupier to put up the notices which have appeared in the windows of the store.’
Jolly’s is expected to close for good in February, SomersetLive reports.
It comes just more than a decade after the Milson Street store – its home for more than a century – was refurbished.
Customers lamented the closure of this ‘real institution in Bath’ (Picture: Jane Tregelles / Alamy Stock Photo)
Originally started by James Jolly as a linen drapery story in Kent, the first Bath branch was opened as a seasonal store in 1923. It became permanent seven years later.
It was bought by House of Fraser – now Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group – in 1971.
Now a staple of Bath retail, news of Jolly’s closure – with window signs saying ‘all stock must go – has hit locals hard.
One said: ‘It is a shame and People will be up in arms about this decision but many of Bath residents do not think of shopping there.
‘The problem is footfall as well as a very old building that does not work as department store in this day and age.
‘Full of small rooms and is not making the money it used to. I worked there many moons ago, also shop there and every time I’m in there it is almost empty.’
Jolly’s survived the closure of most House of Frasers stores in 2018 (Picture: Somerset Live/BPM Media)
Another said: ‘A real institution in Bath. We bought our furniture in there on interest free credit in 1980 when we bought our house. It’s still going strong 44 yrs later.’
But its decline may not be news to some. Rain and broken glass were reported to have fallen into the store earlier this year, and footfall appears to have fallen, with a slew of recent negative reviews posted on Tripvisor.
One person said: ‘I wonder how many of us lamenting the possible closing down of Jolly’s have actually bought anything there this year?’
Yet still, the closure has sparked an outpouring of grief. One person said: ‘The end of an era. Such a shame. Bath needs a decent department store.’
The council said: ‘While plans are at an advanced stage with a third party occupier, the council is not in a position to make a formal statement at this time in relation to its proposals for the future of one of Bath’s most important department stores.
‘However, the intention is that a joint statement with this third party will be made at the appropriate time.’
Metro has contacted Frasers Group for comment.
Jolly’s is the latest in a series of major closures announced this year.
Dobbies is closing 12 of its garden centres before Christmas, WHSmith is shuttering several of its own stores, and even smaller chains like Oddie’s bakeries in Lancashire are at risk.
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