Contractors have now begun work on the historic Jolly’s store on Milsom Street in Bath, ahead of an opening by retailer Morleys next year.
The store is set to reopen in Spring 2026 | Photo © B&NES Council
Bath & North East Somerset Council, which owns the building, has brought in contractor Bray & Slaughter to carry out a programme of restorative works to the building.
This first phase of the project is concerned with overhauling the external fabric of the building to ensure it is weather-tight, and the work will include extensive roofing renewals, window repairs and rainwater and drainage improvements.
This will be followed by internal refurbishment work, carried out by Morleys, to create a vibrant new store.
Jolly’s is one of Europe’s oldest department stores and has been a Bath landmark and a cornerstone of the city’s shopping scene for over a century.
During the restoration, vinyl window graphics will display a series of images set in a timeline highlighting the rich history of Jolly’s in Bath, from the opening of a ‘seasonal’ shop circa 1823, to the planned reopening as part of Morleys Stores in Spring 2026.
Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for resources, said: “Jolly’s store is a very significant council-owned asset and we are investing significantly in restoration of the building so it can continue to benefit future generations of Bath residents and visitors.
Vinyl graphics have been added to the windows and doors | Photo © B&NES Council
“I’ll be taking a very active interest in progress as work is carried out to preserve the historic fabric of this flagship building at the heart of the Milsom Quarter.
“We’re delighted to have a fantastic partner in Morleys to take on the running of the store once the restoration work is complete.”
Grant Jefferies, Managing Director of Bray & Slaughter, commented: “Growing up near Bath, Jolly’s has been a constant presence on Milsom Street during my life and to have the opportunity to showcase our technical skills and deliver a project which will secure a future for the site is a challenge my colleagues and I are proud to be entrusted with.”
The history of Morleys Stores also features on the timeline, alongside a promise to restore the store to its former glory and ensure that the Jolly’s legacy lives on for generations of Bath residents.
Allan Winstanley, Chief Executive of Morleys Department Stores, said: “We’re thrilled that work is underway restoring Jolly’s to its former glory.
“We’re extremely proud to be another step closer to taking stewardship of Jolly’s and creating a world-class shopping experience for the people of Bath and its many visitors.”
