Debenham and Freebody
of Wigmore Street, London, W1, Drapers, Silk Mercers, Mourning Warehousemen, Dress, Costume, and Mantle Makers, Lacemen, Jewellers, and Dealers in Works of Art, Outfitters, Milliners, Furriers (1914)
Formerly Clark and Debenham
1863 Name changed to Debenham and Freebody - William Debenham, Junior and Clement Freebody
William Debenham, Senior, built up a thriving business as silk mercer and draper. He took his son William Debenham, Junior into the business; his sons, Henry and Frank, became clerks in the business; his third son, John became an engineer.
The idea of selling small amounts of fabrics to dressmakers was first introduced by Frank and almost all the fashionable dressmakers flocked to his store. By the 1850s Debenhams had become the fashionable fabric business.
1863 Present title assumed.
1868 The firm was described as Silk Mercers, of 44, Wigmore-street, in the county of Middlesex, and of Cheltenham,[1]
By 1871 Frank seems to have been in charge of the business[2]
1876 Dissolution of the Partnership between William Debenham, Frank Debenham, and George Edwin Hewett, carrying on business as Silk Mercers and General Ware-housemen, at Cheltenham, in the county of Gloucester, under the firm of Debenham and Freebody, as from the 1st day of August, 1876.[3]
Frank Debenham expanded the retail sales at Wigmore Street; he also developed a considerable wholesale and export trade. A wholesale millinery department was instituted and a factory opened at Luton, as well as departments devoted to costumes, silks, gloves, ribbons, and tulles.
Expansion also took place through the acquisition of a number of specialist retailers and manufacturers of fabrics and draperies.
By 1881 William had effectively retired from the business[4]
1883 The Cheltenham branch sold and became Cavendish House
1892 Partnership dissolved. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, William Debenham and Frank Debenham, carrying on 'business as Silk and General Warehousemen, at Saint Paul's-churchyard, E.G., and Wigmore-street, Cavendish square, in the county of London, under the style or firm of Debenham and Freebody, has been dissolved, by mutual consent, so far as regards the said William Debenham, who retires therefrom as and from the 1st day of February, 1892...'[5]
The firm acquired the business of Helbronners Ltd., embroiderers
1897 Acquired Haywards and Nicholays.[6]
1900 The warehouse part of the business was put into a separate company, Debenham and Co
1904 Acquired G. W. Jones printers.
Held several Royal Warrants
Frank's son, Ernest Ridley Debenham, aided by his barrister friend Frederick Oliver, oversaw a number of significant developments in the fortunes of the business.
1905 Debenhams Ltd was formed to own Debenham and Freebody, along with Debenham and Co.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of Sir Ernest Debenham, ONBD