We're backing Beatties: We need YOUR help to save iconic Wolverhampton store
The Express & Star has launched a major appeal to help keep Beatties open – and we want YOUR support.
We’re asking for readers’ stories and memories of the iconic city centre shop to help form a dossier we will send to new owner Mike Ashley.
VOTE NOW: Should Beatties be kept open?
And among the first to back our campaign are surviving members of the Beatties family.
Vicki Redshaw, great granddaughter of store founder James Beattie, has sent out a message to Mr Ashley, who has pledged to save 80 per cent of House of Fraser stores from closure after buying the chain.
Mrs Redshaw was the last family member to serve as a director at the department chain until 1998.
She said: “Mr Ashley, the city of Wolverhampton and its people need your help at this moment in time.
“You can, if you will, make a real difference to this community, and renew our hope in the future.”
'Such a loss'
Also calling on Mr Ashley to secure the store’s future are MPs, council leaders and business representatives.
Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds has offered Mr Ashley a personal tour of the department store, which she describes as one of the most beautiful in the country.
The shop was one of 31 earmarked for closure next year by previous owner House of Fraser until Mr Ashley’s Sports Direct business bought the chain for £90 million.
He has vowed to keep 80 per cent of the stores open and is seeking advice from property agents - we are asking him to ensure Wolverhampton’s Beatties is one of them.
Supporting the Express & Star’s campaign, Ms Reynolds said: “Wolverhampton would be at such a loss without Beatties.
"I believe with some investment it could be as popular as it has ever been.
"I’d like to invite Mr Ashley to Wolverhampton to see the potential of the city and look at the store, which I believe is one of the most beautiful department stores in the country.”
Iconic
Wolverhampton councillor John Reynolds said: “Beatties is 141 years old and is an institution in Wolverhampton.
"Generations of Wulfrunians have shopped and worked at this iconic store which is located in a landmark building in the heart of our city centre.
“As a city council, we’re appeal to the new owners of House Of Fraser to recognise the potential of Beatties which we believe can have a bright future with the right investment and business model.
“Mike Ashley is a shrewd businessman, he will be aware that Wolverhampton is very much a place of growth and opportunity.
"£1 billion investment is either on site or in the pipeline for the city centre which includes a mixed offer of retail, leisure and sports all backed up by fantastic road, rail and tram connectivity.
“We would be more than happy to discuss any future proposals with the new owners and see how we can work together to save Beatties.”
Deputy leader and cabinet member for city assets and housing, Councillor Peter Bilson said: “It’s an iconic building for the city and I hope the new owner Mike Ashley will recognise that, see it’s value and see that it could become the Harrods of our High Street in Wolverhampton.
“He expects to keep as many sites open as possible and I hope that extends to Wolverhampton.
"We’ve got pretty good footfall and we’ve got significant investment in the city both now and in the future with the Westside development.
“I would hope that he would support out city whether it stays as House of Fraser or reverts back to Beatties.
"There’s positivity in our city and it would be great if he could save it.”
141 years of Beatties history
1877: James Beattie established the Victoria Draper Supply Store in Victoria Street
1895: Store now employs 40 staff and turnover reaches £30,000 a year.
1896: Fire destroys the building, forcing demolition and a rebuild on the current store site.
1912: Second fire sees another rebuild, changing the facade for the first time .
Early 1920s: The existing Art Deco frontage was designed and installed.
1930s: Growing business expands into Darlington Street.
1934: James Beattie dies. Grandson, also James, joins the company.
1958: Beatties becomes first store in the UK to offer payment by plastic.
1969: Beatties opens its fourth store,in Dudley’s Churchill Shopping Precinct.
2001: Beatties opens 12th store, in the old C&A premises in Birmingham
2003: Telford store opened.
2005: House of Fraser buys Beatties for £67 million, ending plc status.
2006: Beatties landmark site on Victoria Street is sold in a sale-and-leaseback deal for £47m. House of Fraser takes a 35-year lease. It replaces the Beatties bear with its own House of Fraser teddy.
2010: Beatties in Dudley is closed.
2011: Beatties opens on Boxing Day for the first time in its history
2014: House of Fraser bought by Chinese group Sanpower for £450m.
June 7, 2018: House of Fraser announces plans to close up to 31 of its 59 stores, including Beatties in a CVA rescue deal to see a takeover by Chinese group C.banner.
August 10, 2018: Mike Ashley in £90m deal to rescue parts of House of Fraser.
Well-known faces back campaign
The great and the good today backed the Express & Star’s campaign to save landmark department store Beatties from the axe .
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said he hoped the takeover could stop the 279 members of staff at Beatties from losing their jobs.
“The news that it was closing was a body-blow to the city.
“The picture at the moment is unclear but if this takeover saves jobs at Beatties and gives the store a new future then I think it is to be welcomed.”
Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Claire Darke, said she had ‘happy memories’ of shopping at the store and wants to ensure both the it and the building are preserved for future generations.
“It’s a crucial part of the city centre offer and it’s a lovely building with art deco features.
“I’m a volunteer at the Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society and we would be hoping to make sure the building is protected.
“The frontage is treasured by many people and it’s great history in the city is also cherished.
“I remember when I first came to Wolverhampton 40 years ago and there was a butcher in the basement and a lovely toy department.
“I’ve got lots of happy memories shopping in Beatties over the years with my family.”
Black Country Chamber of Trade member, Ninder Johal, called on Mr Ashley to invest and give Wolverhampton city centre a boost.
His wife Narinder went to Beatties as a child with her mother and sister. He said her memories were of the store being at the centre of the city’s shopping experience.
He said: “This is an opportunity for the city council, the city and all the retailers to persuade and encourage Mike Ashley to keep open and invest in what is rare iconic brand.
“If we get it right it will pull up the whole high street. It is just what we need.” He added: “All the research shows that personal service is key in retail.
“If Mike Ashley understands it then he should look to keep Beatties open and invest to make the brand great again.”
Author Sathnam Sanghera, who grew up in Wolverhampton was among those to take to Twitter after the announcement that it was to close was first made in June.
He wrote: “This is so sad. Beatties is central to Wolverhampton life.
“It always felt too posh for us, and getting my first Wolverhampton Grammar School uniform from there is one of the most memorable moments of my childhood.”
Homegrown cycling legend Hugh Porter described the news as ‘terribly sad’, adding: “When I was younger I always looked up to Beatties as our own ‘mini-Harrods’, it was so classy. I have continued to use it for many years. To see it go is a real tragedy.”
“I just can’t imagine Beatties not being there and my thoughts are with the staff.”
