Oh, we like what you’ve done with the old place!
NEARLY 90 former Fenwick employees returned to their old stomping ground to see how the department store has been transformed into a hotel.
Staff came from as far away as Newcastle and London, and in one case Austria, for the reunion at The Gresham to see how the former landmark store has been converted into a luxurious 121-room aparthotel, which opened for business in 2021.
The reunion was six years to the day since the iconic store closed its doors for the last time.
Previous staff and management – including 91-year-old former chairman of the board John Fenwick, who travelled from London with his son, Adam – met up for the first time since the pandemic to appreciate the transformation.
In its heyday, 250 full and part-time staff were employed at Fenwick.
Many of these were guests on the night, delighted to see that the development had taken care to ensure the building retained its character and friendly warmth.
Many of the original features they remembered during their time at Fenwick were still intact, including the hand-made bronze fluting housed within the magnificent grand staircase, installed in the 1920s by Joseph Johnson (the owner of the building before it was purchased by Fenwick in 1962), replicating a design he was inspired by while on a cruise.
David Illingworth, who was the Fenwick Leicester store director for 21 years, helped to organise the event, including coordinating the attendance by members of the Fenwick family.
He said: “I was delighted that so many people made the effort to attend and enjoy reminiscing about the good old Fenwick days, in such a wonderfully-revitalised environment for all to continue enjoying.
“Like the other former members of staff who were here, I was thrilled to see John again in particular, and he had a wonderful evening, so it was a great success.”
Mark Hills, The Gresham general manager, was on hand to welcome the guests at the aparthotel.
He said: “It is an iconic building full of character which has stood steadfast since the 1880s and it is a pleasure to work in, and be part of one of Leicester’s architectural gems.
“We want to make sure that this history is not lost so, as part of May’s Local History Month, we are inviting people to send in their stories, photos and press clippings, so that we can collate and share these memories of bygone Gresham.”
Members of the public are invited to send in their copies or scans and tales of the Gresham building’s past, when it was either Fenwick or Joseph Johnsons, by May 31, by emailing: