The HOUSE OF FRASER Archive

Company: J J Allen Ltd

Registration number:

Company name: J J Allen Ltd
Dates in business: 1899-1969

Type of business: House furnisher

Type of company: Public limited liability company 1899

Locations:
  • No.1a, The Quadrant, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • Old Post Office Buildings, Hinton Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • The Annex, Nerac-House, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • Petersville, St. Peter's Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • 71,73 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • 43 Poole Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • Steam Cabinet and Upholstery Works, Poole Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • Pantechnicons, Seamoor Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • 105, 107 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
  • 9 Highstreet, Kensington, London, England
  • London Depository, Wyfold Road, Fulham, London, England

Company history

J J Allen Ltd was formed in 1899 to 'carry on the extensive and old-established business of Mr.J.J.Allen, House Furnisher, Carpet Importer and Factor, Cabinet Manufacturer, Upholsterer, Decorator, Removal Contractor, Warehouseman, and Funeral Furnisher'.

By the 1960s J J Allen Ltd owned stores in London, Leicester and the South and West of England, known as the J J Allen group. Their shops included Allens' own store in Bournemouth, Brights of Bristol, Cavendish House of Cheltenham, Colsons of Exeter and Morgan Squire of Leicester. Allens also owned the Chanelle and Maryon chain of fashion shops. In 1961 Allens acquired a controlling interest in James Howell & Co Ltd, re-selling its shareholding at a substantial profit in March 1962 to the Hodge group, managed by Dir Julian Hodge, a Welsh merchant banker.

In 1969 J J Allen joined the House of Fraser group for a price of £5.3million. In 1971 House of Fraser also acquired Dingles Ltd and the activities of the two businesses were harmonized. In 1972 E. Dingle incorporated all the J J Allen stores in the West country and those elsewhere were transferred to Harrods (provincial).

Records held for J J Allen Ltd:

FRAS 475
Title: Annual report and accounts
Date: 1968-1971
FRAS 476
Title: Staff guide
Date: c.1960s
FRAS 477
Title: Photographs of store interior and exterior
Date: 1960s-1970s
FRAS 478
Title: Supplementary agreements and assignments with Harrods
Date: 1970s
FRAS 479
Title: Dissenting shareholders
Date: 1960s-1970s
FRAS 1278
Title: Subscription list for shares
Date: 1899
FRAS 1279
Title: High court petition for reduction of capital
Date: 1971

Related People and Companies:

Corporation name: Brights
Dates of connection: nd
Connection type: J J Allen owned Brights of Bristol.
Corporation name: Bright & Colson Ltd
Dates of connection: nd
Connection type: J J Allen owned Brights.
Corporation name: E Dingle & Co Ltd
Dates of connection: 1972
Connection type: In 1972 E. Dingle incorporated all the J J Allen stores.
Corporation name: House of Fraser Ltd
Dates of connection: 1969
Connection type: House of Fraser Ltd acquired J J Allen Ltd in 1969 for a price of £5.3million.
Corporation name: Cavendish House Co Ltd
Dates of connection: 1962
Connection type: In 1962 J J Allen bought Cavendish House of Cheltenham.
Corporation name: Morgan Squire Ltd
Dates of connection: nd
Connection type: J J Allen owned Morgan Squire Ltd.
Corporation name: Harrods
Dates of connection: 1972
Connection type: In 1972 shares in J J Allen were transferred to Harrods.

Access points: Furnishers - Furniture makers - Furniture removals - Upholsterers - Clothes shops

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Tags

Bournemouth Bournemouth West Clothes shops Dorset England Fulham SW Furnishers Furniture makers Furniture removals Kensington, W. London London Depository, Wyfold Road No.1a, The Quadrant Old Post Office Buildings, Hinton Road Pantechnicons, Seamoor Road, Westbourne Petersville, St. Peter's Road Steam Cabinet and Upholstery Works, Poole Road The Annex, Nerac-House Upholsterers