The opening of a flagship department store on Bath’s high street has been delayed until this autumn.
Morleys Stores and Bath and North East Somerset Council announced on Thursday that the branch would reopen later in the year after a substantial renovation.
The Milsom Street store appeared doomed to vanish from the city’s streets before the local council and a new buyer swooped in and saved the well-known brand.
On Tuesday, March 18, Morleys Stores Ltd announced that it would step in to buy and reopen Jolly’s store on Bath’s Milsom Street, despite the shop formerly announcing that it would be closing its doors permanently at the end of February
Following the takeover, Morley’s confirmed it would be keeping the historic ‘Jolly’s’ name. At the same time, the firm said it was eyeing a reopening in spring 2026.
Work to restore the site got underway last year, with contractor Bray and Slaughter carrying out the programme of works.
Although the date for the much-anticipated reopening has been pushed back, both Morleys and the council continue to work diligently to preserve the "historic integrity" of the site.
Ray Clacher, chief executive of Morleys Stores said: “As a store that has been part of Bath’s fabric for almost two centuries, preserving the historic integrity of this remarkable building is our utmost priority.
“We are committed ensuring that Jolly’s serves as a welcoming, modern retail space to deliver the best retail experience for Bath’s residents and visitors. We are working closely with heritage specialists Bray & Slaughter.”
BANES Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for Resources said: “We are investing significantly in the restoration of the building so it can continue to benefit future generations of Bath residents and visitors and we look forward to a fantastic partner in Morleys opening their store later this year.”
Jolly’s has been on the site since 1823, but it was thought that it would shut its doors for good on Saturday, February 22, ahead of the intervention from Morleys.
The store underwent a major refurbishment in 2014, but its future was put in doubt when House of Fraser went into administration in 2018 and was bought by Mike Ashley's Fraser's group, who struggled to keep the business going for the following six years.
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