Peter Robinson (department store)
Peter Robinson was a chain of department stores with its flagship store being situated at
History
Peter Robinson (1804–1874), a
In 1865 he expanded further into Regent Street, buying Hodge and Lowman Linen drapers, which occupied 252–262 Regents Street.[4]
During the 1850s, John Lewis, later the founder of a rival department store, worked for Peter Robinson, initially as a drapery assistant, but worked his way up to being the youngest silk buyer in London. In 1864 he was offered a partnership in the business, but declined; instead, he opened his own drapery on Oxford Street.[5][6] Peter Robinson, the founder is buried in a family grave at Highgate Cemetery. Robinson died in 1895 leaving the large sum of £ 1,119,660 in his will. (worth £ 113.5 million in 2022)[7]
The current building at Oxford Circus was designed by architect Henry Tanner Junior.[8] Being completed in 1912, it is Grade II listed.[9] The building was substantially extended in 1923.[10]
The business grew into a small chain of department stores and in 1946,
In 1964, to try to attract the younger buyer, Peter Robinson's Topshop was opened on the third floor of the Sheffield store (located in Angel Street).[13] In 1965, the basement of the Oxford Circus store was converted to be a Peter Robinson Topshop.
In 1970, George Martin opened the first AIR studio on the top floor of the building.[14]
In 1974, Burton's Group, the parent company decided that Peter Robinson and Topshop should be separated, with Peter Robinson aiming for the over 25s. The number of stores was reduced from 22 to six.[15] By the end of the 1970s the Peter Robinson brand had all but disappeared.[11]
References
- ^ "Rare pair of 'Black Peter Robinson' gentleman's shoes, mid 19th Century". Poppies Cottage. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014.
- ISBN 0-333-57688-8.
- ^ "Peter Robinson". Retrieved 3 November 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Draft Publication, Bartlett School, UCL Chapter 12, Oxford Circus, page 23, database google, citing hodge and lowman regent street, accessed 17 June 2021.
- ^ "Department Stores". Exploring 20th Century London. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015.
- ^ Shelina Begum (29 July 2014). "From Drapers Apprentice to Global Empire Builder". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ West London Observer 23/11/1895, page 5
- ^ "Chapter 12 Oxford Circus, Survey of London, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL" (PDF). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ "New Markets, English Heritage website". Retrieved 3 November 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Getty Images". Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ a b Ava Szajna-Hopgood (13 June 2019). "Arcadia: What went wrong?". Retail Gazette (blog).
- ^ "About Anglia: Peter Robinson Dept Store Official Opening". East Anglia Film Archive. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Topshop: A history. A look behind the highstreet brand". Lippy. 26 October 2012. Archived from the original on 15 February 2014.
- ISBN 978-0-91277-774-0.
- ^ Giada Graziano (18 December 2015). "Topshop Story and Business". Glam Observer.