The 200-year-old British department store is set to return to the high street after shutting earlier this year.
200-year-old high street staple is returning to UK in major retail boost
A 200-year-old high street institution is returning to the UK. Jolly’s, in central Bath, will reopen in Spring 2026 after being taken on by Morleys Stores Ltd, which currently owns seven UK stores.
The 200-year-old British department store is set to return to the high street after shutting earlier this year. Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for Resources, said: “We are investing significantly in restoration of the building so it can continue to benefit future generations of Bath residents and visitors.
“I’ll be taking a very active interest in progress as work is carried out to preserve the historic fabric of this flagship building.”
READ MORE Millions of workers could be handed £1,000 tax-free annual payout
Allan Winstanley, chief executive of Morleys, said: “We’re thrilled that work is underway restoring Jolly’s to its former glory.
“We’re extremely proud to be another step closer to taking stewardship of Jolly’s and creating a world class shopping experience for the people of Bath and its many visitors.”
Grant Jefferies, managing director of Bray and Slaughter, added: “Growing up near Bath, Jolly’s has been a constant presence on Milsom Street during my life and to have the opportunity to showcase our technical skills and deliver a project which will secure a future for the site is a challenge my colleagues and I are proud to be entrusted with.”
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April 2025, will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
Jolly’s in Bath has been a fixture in the city since 1823 and has been run by House of Fraser since the 1970s, but the company is now pulling out.
General manager Jess Merritt-Johns said: “Some people have been here for 40 years, for them it’s the hardest of all as it’s the only job they have ever known.”
Ms Merritt-Johns recently organised a reverse recruitment day, where local businesses were invited into the shop to meet staff looking for work.