In this section:
Our History
Beales has a long and illustrious history and was one of the founding names of the department store movement. The doors opened in Bournemouth in 1881 and our flagship store still occupies the original site. The founder John Elmes was also Mayor of the town and this is no doubt why Beales has always made a significant contribution to community life. A proud tradition which continues today in all the towns where the Beales Family of Stores are a landmark presence.
In the late 60s, sensing the consumer boom, Beales began a programme of expansion starting in neighbouring Poole and opening or acquiring stores in Winchester, Worthing and Horsham and as far afield as Yeovil, Bedford and Hexham.
The Family
At the beginning of 2011 the Beales Family had grown to 13 stores, each with their individual character but sharing the fundamental ethos of customer service which is key to our success. Early in 2009 we relaunched our website beales.co.uk which offers an extensive range of items, many with special offers which are exclusive to online shoppers. We have also seen increasing numbers taking advantage of the benefits of owning a Beales Store Card with special offers and exclusive cardholder events.
In common with other high street retailers in the UK, Beales has had to manage business under the cloud of the recession. With the guidance of CEO Tony Brown, we have weathered the storm and are now set to build on recent successful sales. With exciting new lines, dynamic merchandising and exceptional customer service, Beales leads the way in a retail revival. And while fashions change, values emphatically don’t. Beales still deliver a wonderful customer experience, with a focus on a wide range of great value products from everyday essentials to the little (and large) luxuries in life.
Our Growing Family
Just like our customers, Beales enjoy shopping too! We have recently acquired Westgate Department Stores, part of the Anglia Regional Co-op, which occupies 19 local high street locations from Northumberland to Suffolk.
Combining the respective store portfolios into one enlarged group of 32 stores, makes strong commercial sense for both parties and secures a substantial amount of local employment. At Beales we place customer loyalty at the heart of our business, which is why we are pleased to be able to maintain and honour the Divi at the Westgate stores.
Like Beales, the Anglia Co-op has been serving communities since Victorian times, when customer service was the foundation of every retail business. Now The Beales Family of Department Storesis even better placed to provide customers with a great choice and real value for money.
With great shopping, quality dining and the ultimate customer service, the Beales Family will continue to proudly provide the Complete Department Store Experience.
