arrow_back_ios Back View more articles
Bath Council has said it is "working hard" to secure the future of the sprawling Jolly's department store after closure notices were posted this week.

Bath Council working to secure future of flagship store following Jolly’s closure announcement

Bath Council has said it is “working hard” to secure the future of the sprawling Jolly’s department store after closure notices were posted this week.

Jolly’s is one of Europe’s oldest department stores. Having established his drapery business in Deal, Kent in 1810, James Jolly opened its first Bath store in 1823, relocating to its current position in Milsom Street in 1831 and expanding across three shop widths by the early 1900s.

Jolly’s became part of the House of Fraser in 1971, reverting to its original name in 2014. When House of Fraser went into administration in 2018 it was acquired by Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley.

This week Closing Down signs appeared in the shop’s windows. ‘All Stock Must Go’ the signs announced. It is understood that Frasers Group will vacate the premises in February.

Bath & North East Somerset Council, which owns the buildings, said it had been “working hard to ensure a secure future for this flagship store at the heart of the Milsom Quarter” since 2018.

It said it was unaware of Fraser Group’s intention to imminently close the store.

“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,” said the council.

It added: “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.”

Pictured: Milsom Street in Bath with Jolly’s, left

Bath’s economy-boosting Christmas Market named best in UK

Read more

12.11.2024

Bath businesses invited to have say on Milsom Quarter regeneration

Read more

02.05.2024

Bath’s tourism income booming as overseas visitors return to city

Read more

04.03.2024

Bath’s new economic plan pledges higher wages and a greener economy

Read more

26.01.2024

Bath awarded £770,000 funding to test 5G mobile network in city centre

Read more

11.01.2024

Emission-based parking charges introduced to improve air quality in Bath

Read more

08.09.2023

Plans to revitalise Milsom Quarter buildings to be discussed by Bath council

Read more

02.03.2023