We tend to hear more about department stores closing these days than being refurbished or opening but small, privately-owned chain Morleys Stores Ltd has announced plans to reopen the Jollys store on Milsom Street, Bath, “bringing a revitalised shopping experience to this historic retail destination”.
The company said it will be a “huge boost for the city of Bath and a much needed and positive demonstration of investment and growth from a UK department store business”.
It added that it’s “committed to restoring Jollys to its former glory, making it once-again the anchor store for Milsom street. Offering a carefully curated selection of fashion, beauty, homeware, and more, the store will cater to the needs of the local community while also attracting shoppers from across the region and visitors to Bath”.
Morleys CEO Allan Winstanley is a hugely experienced department stores exec (he previously worked at Myer in Australia, Sears, De Bijenkorf and House of Fraser) and clearly sees a big opportunity in busy Bath.
He spoke of the city’s “vibrant retail landscape” and said that “our approach is to treat each of our stores as a unique independent department store, ensuring we create an exceptional shopping experience tailored to the local community. We are especially pleased to confirm that we will be keeping the Jollys name, honouring its deep-rooted legacy in the city.”
As mentioned, department stores have been shutting down across the UK and the local council in the city (Bath & Northeast Somerset Council) has been working hard to secure the future of the store so its success is something of a coup.
Bath City Council and Morleys are immediately starting a major refurbishment of the historic building “with the goal of restoring Jollys to its former glory”.
Morleys also said the Jollys store will introduce exclusive names “never seen before in Bath” and will feature a full-service beauty experience.
The reopening will happen in two phases with the first phase in exactly a year’s time, followed by a full completion and grand opening in October 2026, in time for the golden quarter.
Jess Merritt-John, the former Jollys Store Manager, has been retained and will oversee a dedicated Heritage Space within it throughout the renovation.
Recognising Bath’s status as a thriving tourist city, Morleys aims to establish Jollys “as a must-visit retail destination, celebrating both its rich heritage and the very best in fashion, beauty, and home,” we’re told.
Morleys has eight stores in its group including Elys in Wimbledon, Pearsons in Enfield, Camp Hopson in Newbury, Roomes Fashion & Home in Upminster, Selbys in Holloway, Morleys in Brixton, Bexleyheath and Tooting (the last of which is set to close soon), and Jollys in Bath.
Despite the planned Tooting closure, the company has continued to invest in its stores. In April 2024 it opened a new 20,000 sq ft home store in Newbury adjacent to its main store. And other recent investment included a £3 million refurbishment of Morleys in Brixton in 2022, with a further £3 million planned in 2025 for Pearsons. It’s also seeking “opportunities to expand its portfolio of stores subject to the correct strategic fit”.
