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From: "John Orchard" <>
Subject: Re: [SRY] Department Stores in Croydon
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:35:27 +0100


Hi Frances



The Allders store in 1901 was on the site that it still occupies, although
it has expanded to take in more frontage on North End since that time and it
spread a bit at the time that the Whitgift Centre was constructed and opened
in the 1960s. The address 38-40 is further north along North End, roughly
opposite where Drummond Road enters North End from the west (so not far from
M&S).



The other department stores in Croydon were, as have been mentioned, Grant
Brothers who occupied London House and spread along High Street (south of
Allders) and Kennard's, founded by William Kennard after Allders had been
established but earlier than Grants. Kennard's occupied space opposite
Allders. Allders was bought out by United Draperies, I think in around 1924
and Kennard's went to Debenhams in about 1932, although it continued trading
as Kennard's until much later.



Croydon was a busy retail centre in 1901 and hosted a plethora of stores
especially in drapery and textiles of one sort or another. The local studies
library may help with commercial directories to trace your precise drapers.



regards

John

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