Retail giant that started as a small West End shop in 1778
DEBENHAMS began life in 1778 when William Clark set up a drapers store in London’s West End selling fabrics, bonnets, gloves and parasols to well-heeled members of society.
The store, based in Wigmore Street, changed its name 35 years later to Clark & Debenham after William Debenham, pictured, invested in the firm. With his help, the company opened its first store outside London in Cheltenham in 1818.
Mr Clark retired from the business in 1837, and the company was later renamed Debenham & Freebody when Mr Debenham went into business with Clement Freebody.
The firm established a wholesale business selling cloth and other materials to dressmakers and large retailers. It eventually went global, with offices opening in South Africa, Australia, Canada and China.
The company became incorporated as Debenhams Ltd in 1905 and later merged with Marshall & Snellgrove, before buying Harvey Nichols in 1920.
After the Debenham family’s involvement in the business ended, it became a public company in 1928.
By 1950, it was the largest department store group in the UK, owning 8 firms and 110 shops. The retailer currently has 2 1 stores in 22 countries, according to its website. Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct retail chain owns 29.7 per cent of the business.