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'Much-loved' department store set to reopen next year

Mae Davage
BBC News, West of England
BBC The now empty Jolly's department store in Bath, pictured from outside. The windows are bare apart from one stand with a poster of a female model on it.BBC
The deal brings an end to 18 months of negotiations over the store's future

A historic department store which closed last month after more than 200 years of trading is set to reopen next year.

Jolly's in Bath will be taken on by department store group Morleys as its second site outside of London.

The building is owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council, which welcomed the announcement following 18 months of talks with Morleys.

The shop was formerly run by House of Fraser, but shut after the company pulled out in February.

House of Fraser went into administration in 2018 and was bought by Mike Ashley's Fraser's group, who struggled to keep the business going for the following six years.

The closure of Jolly's left staff "devastated", with just under 100 people being left redundant.

Bath Record Office Archive photo of a parade on Bath's Milsom Street (outside Jolly's department store) in 1908. The black and white image shows people in military uniform and Victorian clothes walking on the street and horses, some pulling carts, walking down the street.Bath Record Office
Jolly's first opened its doors in 1823

Morleys chief executive Allan Winstanley said he was "thrilled to start preparations to open up in Jolly's and restore this heritage store to its former glory".

He added: "Our business treats all our stores as unique independent stores, designed to serve their local community.

"We will strive to provide an outstanding shopping experience for the community of Bath and its visitors."

Jolly's general manager Jess Merritt-Johns said the closure brought a "lot of tears and a lot of sadness" to the team, adding that some staff had been working there for more than 40 years.

"For them it's the hardest of all as it's the only job they've ever known."

Ms Merritt-Johns will be returning to the store as its general manager.

The response from Bath and North East Somerset Council has been overwhelmingly positive, describing Morley's as a "fantastic fit" for the site's location on Milsom Street.

Council leader Kevin Guy said: "I am delighted to welcome the business into our vibrant city and to one of the most loved stores in Bath."

"This investment is a very positive recognition of the great retail offer our city has and the work our council has undertaken to support it," added councillor Mark Elliott.

The shop will undergo essential restoration and building work before reopening in early 2026.

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