• Swindon & Wiltshire Retail
• Tuesday March 18 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Future of Bath’s former Jolly’s store secured – and the name will be staying

The future of Bath’s the former Jolly’s store has been secured after independent department store chain Morleys signed a lease on the labyrinthine premises.

News of the deal was announced by Bath & North East Somerset Council – which owns the premises and has been working for 18 months to secure a new tenant – this morning (Tuesday).

Morleys – whose portfolio includes Newbury department store Camp Hopson – said it had also obtained the rights to the Jolly’s name, which dates back to the Regency era for which Bath is famed.

One hundred staff were made redundant when Jolly’s – part of the House of Fraser group since 1971 – closed in February. But returning in a senior position is former Jolly’s store manager Jess Merritt-John, who will oversee a dedicated Heritage Space within Jollys throughout the renovation.

The eclectic department store occupies eight terraced shops on Milsom Street.

Council leader Kevin Guy said: “Morleys Stores will bring an exciting shopping experience to residents and visitors alike and I am delighted to welcome the business to our vibrant city and to one of the most loved stores in Bath.

“Milsom Street has always been a very special shopping destination and Morleys Stores is a fantastic fit for the area.

“Morleys’ decision complements the investment the council is making in the Milsom Quarter. The council has been working hard over the past 18 months to secure the future of this flagship store and a significant element of the plan is to make it once again the anchor store for Milsom Street.”

Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for Resources, added: “We set out the council’s commitment to the local economy in our ten-year Economic Strategy and this investment is a very positive recognition of the great retail offer our city has and the work the council has undertaken to support it. I join others in welcoming Morleys Stores to Bath.”

Allan Winstanley, chief executive of Morleys Department Stores, said: “We are thrilled to start preparations to open up in Jolly’s and restore this heritage store to its former glory for Bath.

“Our business treats all our stores as unique independent stores, designed to serve their local community with curated and considered product collections and store experiences.

“We will strive to provide an outstanding shopping experience for the community of Bath and its visitors and I’m sure people will be pleased to know we are keeping the name Jolly’s.”

Morleys said it aims to open in March 2026, once “essential restorative works” – which are currently underway and were planned before House of Fraser’s departure – are completed by the council.