Meet the Beatties – family behind iconic Wolverhampton store
Meet the Beattie family, who founded one of the most successful and treasured businesses back in the 19th century.
James Beattie, a draper and businessman, pictured here with his wife and children, founded the Wolverhampton department store in 1877. It has stood as a landmark in Wolverhampton city centre ever since, attracting shoppers from across the country.
This photograph is thought to have been taken around the time the business launched, during the 1870s and is part of an exhibition being launched today, documenting the company's incredible history like never before.
The public is being invited to glimpse into the firm's fascinating past at the display in the Wolverhampton City Archives, which will run until March 29.
Twice the building on Victoria street was gutted by fires and had to be demolished and rebuilt.
But fortunately, the business was able to continue and flourish into the icon it has remained for the past 136 years.
Until 2005, when it was taken over by department store chain House of Fraser, the company passed through the generations within the Beattie family.
