Name: Steve Jesson
Comment: Francis was a large-ish department store, local family business. Also where your mum dragged you for you school uniform! Record department at the back, I used to go here every Saturday. In the mid-1980s the 7” singles were all £1.50! Opened 1985, then WH Smith took the shop over around 1989/90 and it was never the same again.
Comments
Dave Harwood
22 Jan 2024 at 02:55
I found this feature in the 'Hinckley Times' dated 27th October 1989: “Celebrate Francis's 40th Anniversary - The family-owned store first opened its doors in Church Walk in 1949. Mrs Christine Francis specialised in childrens wear, baby linen, hosiery, lingerie and corsetry. During the 1950's the name Francis was firmly established and a comprehensive range of nursery goods were introduced. In 1957 a further shop was acquired at 29 Castle Street by Mr Jeff Francis called 'Junior Gent', a specialist boys and youths outfitters. The bringing together of the two specialist shops became possible in Castle Street during 1970 and the introduction of men's wear and ladies fashions created family shopping under one roof. 1982 saw big changes when developers were brought in to extend the store from Castle Street through to Church Walk, linking Hinckley's to its main car park. A luxury cosmetic and perfumery hall, RECORD DEPARTMENT, sports shop and Exchange Travel opened in 1985.”
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