StaleysI have been listening to the local radio over the past few weeks, and have heard with interest the changes taking place at one of our most popular and historic shops. I am talking about Bobby's, so I thought I would look at its history through to the recent merger with Reynold's. |
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If you walk past the High Street entrance to Bobbys you will see the word "Staley's" inscribed with tiles on the floor, this is our first clue to the long history involved. At the start of the last century there was a small shop in the High Street namely "George W. Staley," who was in fact a general draper, milliner and ladies outfitter. This shop opened in 1888 and the business was conducted by George Staley himself for 45 years. Their advertisements extolled the virtue of their shop with comments like "largest selection of ready made costumes in Bognor." G.W. Staley was a great believer in advertising and also in advising his customers of the way to gain the best wear out of products purchased from him. For example in 1908 he advised his customers that "Blankets woven in pairs wear chiefly at the ends and middle. Sew the ends lightly together like a roller towel, then fold at the top can be constantly changed and the blankets will wear equally all over." Thank goodness for duvets! |
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Staley's was also one of the main shops in the town that was able to supply gowns for many of the local events. One advertisement in 1923 announced that a black chiffon velvet gown had been reduced from 8gns to 4 gns and also they had reductions in the price of taffeta frocks. All the terminology of this particular shop definitely comes from a different era. Can you imagine an advertisement today saying "The extraordinary bargain quality of these offers makes an early personal visit advisable"? Originally housed at No 25 High Street, Staley's was to expand and move across the road to occupy newly built premises on the corner of London Road, i.e. Nos. 1 and 2, which opened on March 5th 1914, at the site we know today as Bobby's. There were many developments around |
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the town at this time, for example this corner site had formerly been occupied by Camden House for many years. It was a tea-place which was apparently greatly enjoyed by visitors to the town and for numerous children it was used for their Sunday-school treats. Eventually 'progress' arrived; the house was demolished and a new series of shops was constructed. The sales particulars advised prospective purchasers that these premises were to be numbered 1,3,5,7, and 9 which then meant that London Road had to be renumbered. This is then a warning to those people trying to carry out research, numbers do change! If you take the time to look above the shop fronts at this particular corner in Bognor you can see the evidence that they were built as a group, by the distinctive look of their roof line, which has not changed over the years. |
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Eventually in 1959 a major change was to take place; The Staley family sold their shop to a new owner, Mr. F.J. Bobby, who at the time was running a fashion shop in Tunbridge Wells.He received a phone call from a friend in Bognor Regis advising that Staley's shop was for sale. F.J. Bobby was in fact the grandson of the founder of the Bobby Group, which during the 1950's was part of the Debenham Group. Following a closure of 6 months the newly named store was opened in June 1959 and named F.J. Bobby (Bognor) Ltd. This store was then to continue in the traditions of the previous owners with the aim of "Serving the residents of Bognor Regis." Many people have told me that one of their specific memories of this store, was the overhead canisters which were used to propell your money to the cashier, which would then be returned, overhead, with your receipt and change. By the end of the 1970's there was an amount of modernisation taking place, which included a new staircase at the rear, after the removal of a large chimney stack. |
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Whilst various events were taking place with these two stores, another store was also making its own history in the town; Reynolds. |
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A well loved and long established store which was originally opened in 1867 in West Street. By 1870 business had increased and they expanded into the High Street, where they remain today. By 1888 they were to have new neighbours at No 25 High Street - G.W. Staley's. |
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Reynolds' first store displayed a sign stating that they were "Auctioneers, Appraisers, House Agents, Cabinet makers, Upholsters and Undertakers." |
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As we now sit and listen to the plans being made for the major changes that are taking place in our town centre, it is interesting to surmise how the original families of Reynolds and their neighbours Staley's would have viewed today's amalgamation of these established businesses in the town. With the changing shopping trends of us the shopper, it is pleasing to see that the standards and aims of a bygone era will remain in the town centre, rather than moving to one of the modern out of town shopping complexes. |
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It will be interesting to watch the progress made over the coming months, and I hope that they will retain the name of "Staley's" in the High Street entrance, irrespective of the new name of the shop, when it is announced later this summer. |
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Finally I would like to add this footnote and bring you up to date with information which connects two recent articles, that of Street Names and Royalty. Councillor S. Olliver, is a member of the town Council Planning Committee and has contacted me with information on certain recent names that have been given to a series of flats in the area adjacent to Sir Richard Hotham's |
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buildings near Upper Bognor Road. It was proposed and agreed that a number of these flats be named after Royal Princesses hence, Charlotte, Margaret and Alexandra. She was also able to tell me that Brickfield Close, off Mons. Ave. is on the site of Brickfields, Corbishley Road is named after Capt. Corbishley How many other stories do you have to relate? |
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• TELEPHONE 01243 823 820 |
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