Brown Muff and Company Ltd, Department Store, Bradford, Records (14D96)
1814 - 1986
‘The Harrods of the North’
Dunlop and Slazenger tennis display
Soon after Elizabeth Brown established her store at 11 Market Street in 1814, it started to grow into what would be known as one of the best shops in the area, with people travelling far and wide to purchase the high quality goods on sale. Mrs Brown started off selling clothes, but by 1822 she also had a book shop and public library.
Over the years the firm acquired new premises which still stand today, and had branched out into carpet making, bedding and furnishing, with electrical, hardware and kitchen departments, a food market, and perhaps unexpectedly a beauty parlour and Chapel of Rest!
With over five floors, additional shops, and two branches in Skipton and Bingley which opened in 1963, promotion was of great value to Brown Muff and Co., and was done well. Their window displays were always worth stopping to look at, prize certificates were awarded for the best in the city and in 1951 they received one for their display of colonial goods. An advertisement case was built in the new train station at Forster Square to fight off competition and attract more customers, as the glamorous fashion show evenings that were held often did.
Over the years the firm acquired new premises which still stand today, and had branched out into carpet making, bedding and furnishing, with electrical, hardware and kitchen departments, a food market, and perhaps unexpectedly a beauty parlour and Chapel of Rest!
With over five floors, additional shops, and two branches in Skipton and Bingley which opened in 1963, promotion was of great value to Brown Muff and Co., and was done well. Their window displays were always worth stopping to look at, prize certificates were awarded for the best in the city and in 1951 they received one for their display of colonial goods. An advertisement case was built in the new train station at Forster Square to fight off competition and attract more customers, as the glamorous fashion show evenings that were held often did.
The end of an era...
Exterior of the store on Market Street
With the economic climate of the 1970’s favouring large organisations, and a sharp downturn in profits, a decision in 1978 was made to accept a takeover offer from the Birmingham based firm Rackhams. It was the end of an era that had lasted over 100 years, and in 1995 their parent company, House of Fraser, closed the Bradford premises down.
View the collection on our online catalogue.
View the collection on our online catalogue.
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