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{{Short description|Former British department store chain}}
{{for|the defunct model retailer|Beatties of London}}
{{for multi|the defunct model retailer|Beatties of London|other uses|Beattie (disambiguation){{!}}Beattie}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company
name = Beatties |
| name = Beatties
logo = [[File:BeattiesLogo.png|Beatties logo]] |
| logo = [[File:BeattiesLogo.png|Beatties logo]]
type = Subsidiary of [[House of Fraser]] |
| type = Subsidiary of [[House of Fraser]]
company_slogan = |
| company_slogan =
parent = [[House Of Fraser]] |
| parent = [[House of Fraser]]
genre = [[Department store]] |
| genre = [[Department store]]
foundation = [[Wolverhampton]] (1877) |
| foundation = [[Wolverhampton]] (1877)
| fate = Remaining stores trading as [[House of Fraser]] & [[Frasers]]
location = [[Wolverhampton]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], [[England]] |
| location = [[Wolverhampton]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], [[England]]
industry = [[Retail]] |
| industry = [[Retail]]
products = [[Clothing]], [[cosmetics]], [[houseware]]s |
| products = [[Clothing]], [[cosmetics]], [[houseware]]s
homepage = [https://web.archive.org/web/20060104025132/http://www.beatties.co.uk/ Beatties] <small>(archived version)</small><br>[http://www.houseoffraser.com House of Fraser]
| homepage = [https://web.archive.org/web/20060104025132/http://www.beatties.co.uk/ Beatties] <small>(archived version)</small><br>[http://www.houseoffraser.com House of Fraser]
}}
}}
'''Beatties''' was a small [[United Kingdom|British]] [[department store]] group located primarily in the [[English Midlands|Midlands]] of [[England]]. In 2005, when it had 12 stores, the group was acquired by [[House of Fraser]]. On 14 January 2006, the [[Birmingham]] store closed, because a similar House of Fraser store, Rackhams, was not far away. In August 2007, the [[Telford]] store was rebranded, along with the [[Solihull]] and [[Sutton Coldfield]] stores.<ref name="eas">[https://www.expressandstar.com/2007/08/01/anothe-store-loses-beatties-name/ New store loses Beatties name : Express & Star:<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Dead link|date=December 2012}} {{Dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref> The group is gradually rebranding all its branches under the House of Fraser name. In January 2010 the [[Dudley]] branch was closed.
'''Beatties''' was a small British [[department store]] group located primarily in the [[English Midlands|Midlands]] of England. In 2005, when it had 12 stores, the group was acquired by [[House of Fraser]]. On 14 January 2006, the [[Birmingham]] store closed, because a similar House of Fraser store, [[Rackhams]], was not far away. In August 2007, the [[Telford]] store was rebranded, along with the [[Solihull]] and [[Sutton Coldfield]] stores.<ref name="eas">[https://www.expressandstar.com/2007/08/01/anothe-store-loses-beatties-name/ New store loses Beatties name : Express & Star:<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref> The group gradually rebranded all its branches under the House of Fraser name. In January 2010 the [[Dudley]] branch was closed.


On 7 June 2018, it was announced that the last branch which had retained the Beatties name, the former head office in [[Wolverhampton]], was to close in 2019.<ref name=eas20180607>Penfold, Simon [https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2018/06/07/140-years-of-city-history-faces-the-end-with-beatties-set-to-close-next-year/ 140 years of city history faces the end with Beatties closure], [[Express & Star]], Wolverhampton, 7 June 2018. Retrieved on 7 June 2018.</ref> Former Beatties-branded House of Fraser stores in Aylesbury,Birkenhead,Telford and Worcester were also announced to close.<ref name=bbcclosures>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44394948 House of Fraser to close 31 stores], BBC Business, 7 June 2018. Retrieved on 7 June 2018.</ref>
On 7 June 2018, it was announced that the last branch which had retained the Beatties name, the former head office in [[Wolverhampton]], was to close in 2019.<ref name=eas20180607>Penfold, Simon [https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2018/06/07/140-years-of-city-history-faces-the-end-with-beatties-set-to-close-next-year/ 140 years of city history faces the end with Beatties closure], [[Express & Star]], Wolverhampton, 7 June 2018. Retrieved on 7 June 2018.</ref> Former Beatties-branded House of Fraser stores in [[Aylesbury]], [[Birkenhead]], Telford and [[Worcester, England|Worcester]] were also announced to close.<ref name=bbcclosures>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44394948 House of Fraser to close 31 stores], BBC Business, 7 June 2018. Retrieved on 7 June 2018.</ref>


Despite the CVA,Mike Ashley started saving stores on the basis of whether they could cut rent to achieve a specific margain. The Telford branch proposed closure was repealled on 23 August 2018,the first to be repealled.
Despite the CVA, Mike Ashley started saving stores on the basis of whether they could cut rent to achieve a specific margin. The Telford branch proposed closure was repealed on 23 August 2018, the first to be repealed. As of December 2018, all ‘Beatties’ currently trading are announced to be remaining open.{{cn|date=December 2023}}
As of December 2018, all ‘Beatties’ currently trading are announced to be remaining open.


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Beatties Building, Wolverhampton.jpg|thumb|right|The first Beatties store in [[Wolverhampton]].]]
[[File:Beatties Building, Wolverhampton.jpg|thumb|right|The first Beatties store in [[Wolverhampton]].]]
Beatties was founded in 1877 and had grown from a small family drapery business in Wolverhampton to a department store with an excellent reputation for Customer Service. The Company Policy (known as the Four Corners of Responsibility) stated that the responsibility to the customer was <blockquote>
Beatties was founded in 1877 and had grown from a small family drapery business in Wolverhampton to a department store with an excellent reputation for customer service. The Company Policy (known as the Four Corners of Responsibility) stated that the responsibility to the customer was <blockquote>
"To provide the customer with a good range of well chosen, good value merchandise. To offer this to the public in attractive surroundings, backed by pleasant and effective service, and in an atmosphere of complete integrity and responsibility. To demonstrate at all times a genuine desire to please".
"To provide the customer with a good range of well chosen, good value merchandise. To offer this to the public in attractive surroundings, backed by pleasant and effective service, and in an atmosphere of complete integrity and responsibility. To demonstrate at all times a genuine desire to please".
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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On joining Beatties, each member of staff (known as a "Member") was presented with a "Members' Guide" to provide members with information about the company and its policies, the condition of service offered, the facilities available and the rules to be followed.
On joining Beatties, each member of staff (known as a "Member") was presented with a "Members' Guide" to provide members with information about the company and its policies, the condition of service offered, the facilities available and the rules to be followed.


== Staff Structure ==
== Staff structure ==
[[File:Beattiesmembersguide.jpg|right|thumb|Members' Guide books issued to staff on joining Beatties.]]
[[File:Beattiesmembersguide.jpg|right|thumb|Members' Guide books issued to staff on joining Beatties]]
General Manager (GM),
General Manager (GM),
Assistant General Manager (AGM),
Assistant General Manager (AGM),
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==Department store locations==
==Department store locations==
[[File:TelfordBeatties.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Beatties department store in [[Telford]] prior to August 2007 rebranding to House of Fraser.]]
[[File:TelfordBeatties.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Beatties department store in [[Telford]] prior to August 2007 rebranding to House of Fraser.]]
All stores now trade as House of Fraser, except the former Wolverhampton flagship store which is currently empty following the opening of Frasers in the former Debenhams department store in the Mander Centre.
⚫
*[[Aylesbury]], [[Buckinghamshire]]
⚫
*[[Birkenhead]], [[Merseyside]]
⚫
*[[Huddersfield]],[[West Yorkshire]]
*[[Solihull]]
*[[Sutton Coldfield]]
⚫
*[[Telford]], [[Shropshire]] ([[Telford Shopping Centre]])
*[[Wolverhampton]],(previously Head Office)
⚫
*[[Worcester]], [[Worcestershire]]


⚫
*[[Aylesbury]], [[Buckinghamshire]]
⚫
===Former stores===
*[[Sutton Coldfield]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]
⚫
*[[Birmingham]], - closed January 2006
⚫
*[[Telford]], [[Shropshire]] ( Now a Frasers Department Store)
⚫
*[[Burton upon Trent]], [[Staffordshire]] - closed September 2012
⚫
*[[Worcester, England|Worcester]], [[Worcestershire]]
⚫
*[[Dudley]]- closed January 2010 store now occupied by [[Iceland (supermarket)]]

⚫
*[[Northampton]], [[Northamptonshire]] - closed in 2014,now occupied by [[Next plc|Next]] and [[Primark]]
⚫
===Former locations===
⚫
*[[Birmingham]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] (closed January 2006)
⚫
*[[Burton upon Trent]], [[Staffordshire]] (closed September 2012)
⚫
*[[Dudley]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] (closed January 2010; building now partly occupied by [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]])
⚫
*[[Northampton]], [[Northamptonshire]] (closed 2014; building now occupied by [[Next plc|Next]] and [[Primark]])
⚫
*[[Birkenhead]] (closed March 2020)
⚫
*[[Huddersfield]], [[West Yorkshire]] (closed August 2022)
*[[Solihull]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] (closed 28 August 2023)
*[[Wolverhampton]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] (Closed and relocated as Frasers Department Store in Mander Shopping Centre)


== References ==
== References ==
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110817032934/http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/ Official site]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110817032934/http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/ Official site]


[[Category:Department stores of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct department stores of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:House of Fraser]]
[[Category:House of Fraser]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wolverhampton]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wolverhampton]]

Latest revision as of 16:12, 26 December 2023

For the defunct model retailer, see Beatties of London. For other uses, see Beattie.

Beatties
Company typeSubsidiary of House of Fraser
IndustryRetail
GenreDepartment store
FoundedWolverhampton (1877)
FateRemaining stores trading as House of Fraser & Frasers
HeadquartersWolverhampton, West Midlands, England
ProductsClothing, cosmetics, housewares
ParentHouse of Fraser
WebsiteBeatties (archived version)
House of Fraser

Beatties was a small British department store group located primarily in the Midlands of England. In 2005, when it had 12 stores, the group was acquired by House of Fraser. On 14 January 2006, the Birmingham store closed, because a similar House of Fraser store, Rackhams, was not far away. In August 2007, the Telford store was rebranded, along with the Solihull and Sutton Coldfield stores.[1] The group gradually rebranded all its branches under the House of Fraser name. In January 2010 the Dudley branch was closed.

On 7 June 2018, it was announced that the last branch which had retained the Beatties name, the former head office in Wolverhampton, was to close in 2019.[2] Former Beatties-branded House of Fraser stores in Aylesbury, Birkenhead, Telford and Worcester were also announced to close.[3]

Despite the CVA, Mike Ashley started saving stores on the basis of whether they could cut rent to achieve a specific margin. The Telford branch proposed closure was repealed on 23 August 2018, the first to be repealed. As of December 2018, all ‘Beatties’ currently trading are announced to be remaining open.[citation needed]

History[edit]

The first Beatties store in Wolverhampton.

Beatties was founded in 1877 and had grown from a small family drapery business in Wolverhampton to a department store with an excellent reputation for customer service. The Company Policy (known as the Four Corners of Responsibility) stated that the responsibility to the customer was

"To provide the customer with a good range of well chosen, good value merchandise. To offer this to the public in attractive surroundings, backed by pleasant and effective service, and in an atmosphere of complete integrity and responsibility. To demonstrate at all times a genuine desire to please".

On joining Beatties, each member of staff (known as a "Member") was presented with a "Members' Guide" to provide members with information about the company and its policies, the condition of service offered, the facilities available and the rules to be followed.

Staff structure[edit]

Members' Guide books issued to staff on joining Beatties

General Manager (GM), Assistant General Manager (AGM), Personnel Manager (PM), Department Sales Manager (DSM), Assistant Sales Manager (ASM), Loss Prevention Officer (Plain Clothes Security), Sales Assistants, Deck Service Personnel (Warehouse and Delivery), Catering Personnel (for Staff and Customer Restaurant)

Managers at Department level and above were known as Grade 1 members. Managers at Assistant Manager level were known as Grade 2 members.

As well as Beatties own staff the store also employed concession managers and staff. The majority of these were in Perfumery and Ladies fashions but there were also a number of Jewellery concessions.

Department store locations[edit]

The Beatties department store in Telford prior to August 2007 rebranding to House of Fraser.

All stores now trade as House of Fraser, except the former Wolverhampton flagship store which is currently empty following the opening of Frasers in the former Debenhams department store in the Mander Centre.

Former locations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ New store loses Beatties name : Express & Star: [dead link]
  2. ^ Penfold, Simon 140 years of city history faces the end with Beatties closure, Express & Star, Wolverhampton, 7 June 2018. Retrieved on 7 June 2018.
  3. ^ House of Fraser to close 31 stores, BBC Business, 7 June 2018. Retrieved on 7 June 2018.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beatties&oldid=1191919273"