Chiesmans

Chiesmans was a department store group based in Lewisham, London. The business was established in 1884 as a general draper, expanding to become the largest department store in south-east London and operator of a network of branches stretching from Essex to the Isle of Wight. The group was acquired by House of Fraser in 1976. The former Lewisham flagship store closed in 1997.

Early history

Chiesman Brothers was started by the brothers Frank and Harry Chiesman in September 1884 in Lewisham. They bought Cross Brothers drapery business at 59 High Street, Lewisham, which was known as Paris House, and specialised in the sales of remnants and job lots. The brothers changed the business, selling new lines across a variety of product categories in addition to drapery.

The store expanded into neighbouring properties and in 1899, waiting rooms and a tea room were added to the store. Within a few short years the brothers had established Lewisham's leading department store. By 1908 the store encompassed 41-59 High Street. The premises were divided by a road and a tunnel was constructed connecting the two buildings. The furniture department was a particularly successful part of the business and Chiesmans purchased several properties to hold their stock.

After the First World War, the brothers' sons Stewart, Russell and Howard joined the firm and in 1921 a new store was constructed. In the same year the company was incorporated as Chiesmans Limited. During the 1930s the store was extended and other properties were purchased, including property on the opposite side of the High Street. By 1939, a new bridge was built spanning Granville Grove linking the two halfs of the main store.

Expansion

In 1933, Chiesmans began a period of expansion beyond Lewisham with the purchase of Denniss Paine & Co. of Maidstone, Kent.The next acquisition was that of Martins of Canterbury in 1949, while a third store was added in 1957 at Gravesend (previously Bon Marche).

In 1957, the business became a Public Limited Company, with most of the shares being retained by the Chiesman family. Over the next two years stores were purchased in Tunbridge Wells (Waymarks, 1958), the Isle of Wight (Edward Morris, 1959), Ilford (Burnes, 1959), Upton Park (John Lewis, 1959) and Rochester (Leonards, 1959). The Lewisham store was extended again in 1960. New additions included a fabric hall and a self-service restaurant.

Takeover

Further branches were added to the Chiesman group under House of Fraser’s ownership. A number of the former Hide group stores in London and the south-east were initially renamed Chiesmans, including the eponymous Kingston upon Thames store and the J R Roberts branch at Southend. A store was also opened in Bexleyheath.

Closure

In 1976, the group was purchased by House of Fraser, and joined the newly acquired Army & Navy stores as part of House of Fraser’s Southern Division; all Chiesmans stores were eventually renamed under the Army & Navy banner. The former Chiesmans head offices at Lewisham became the head office for House of Fraser Southern Division. Maintenance costs and changing retail patterns led to the Lewisham store shrinking to half its size in 1993 and later, closing down entirely in 1997.