Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Cavendish House & Co Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Franks, William
  • Clark & Debenham
  • Cavendish House
  • Debenham Pooley & Smith
  • Debenhams Group
  • Cavendish House Ltd
  • Standard Industrial Trust Ltd
  • House of Fraser Ltd
  • Debenham, Son & Freebody

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, South West, England

Sectors:

  • Distribution - retailing Department store retailing
  • Distribution - retailing Mail order & catalogue retailing

Notes:

Traced origins to a drapery shop opened in Wigmore St, London, in 1777 by William Franks. By 1813 trading as Clark & Debenham in a shop renamed Cavendish House. 1823 opened a branch at Cheltenham and in 1837 trading as Debenham Pooley & Smith. Another branch opened, at Harrogate, in 1843. By 1851 trading as Debenham, Son & Freebody. By 1870s doing a mail order business. By 1883 Cheltenham branch bought by management while London business subsequently developed into the modern Debenhams Group. Incorporated 1883 as Cavendish House Ltd. 1880s diversified into cabinet making and furniture storage. 1888 public company as Cavendish House & Co Ltd. 1928 acquired by Standard Industrial Trust Ltd and subsequently several owners until acquired by House of Fraser Ltd in 1970 [2023]

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