We met at 9.30 am on a cold morning, at the side entrance to Bradbeer’s, and were welcomed by the head of the Romsey branch of the family which still runs this thriving privately owned group of stores.He took us upstairs behind the scenes to a light airy room, where he proceeded to tell us the history, with the aid of slides, of the firm which commenced trading in the early 1800’s. It first opened for business in Bernard Street, Southampton, opposite Holy Rood Church, then moved to Above Bar, to a prime corner site next to one of the parks, where it thrived until 1940, falling victim to one of the air raids on the town.
The business was moved to Romsey, where it continued throughout the war and at its end, plans were drawn up to rebuild the Southampton store, but the City Council put paid to this by compulsory purchase of the site.
This unwittingly did them a favour, as they have continued to thrive and progress, expanding their New Milton department store and modernising their buildings in Eastleigh, where the purchase of a furniture business led to the establishment of furniture removals and business sites for rent.
The Romsey store, which moved to Bell Street from its first location, continues to grow and since the purchase of the Dolphin Hotel has led to modernisation and expansion into this building, with an enlarged restaurant and café surrounding a courtyard.
This purchase also led to Bradbeer’s taking control of the weekly open air market which has moved from the courtyard to the square outside.
The latest expansion plans will include refurbishment of the two storeys above Martins next door, with planning sought for a conservatory restaurant on first floor level overlooking the courtyard. It is also planned to move the furniture and carpet business from the store to an out-of-town site of its own.
When questions had been answered, we were handed over to another member of the family and taken on a conducted tour of the sales floors. There are many new ideas in the pipeline, with expansion of the popular kitchenware area and perfumery and cosmetics high on their list of priorities.
This was an interesting, in-depth history of one of the most enduring family-run retail businesses in the Hampshire area and one which is well used by both local people and those from further afield, who appreciate the atmosphere of a modern shopping outlet which still reflects the fact that it is lovingly run by yet another generation of the same family. We all came away from the experience wiser and most appreciative of such an interesting morning.
From Sue
