Work on the historic Jolly’s store in Milsom Street, Bath is under way with contractors now on site.
The contractor, Bray & Slaughter, is carrying out a programme of restorative works to the building, which is owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
This first phase of the project is concerned with overhauling the external fabric of the building to achieve a weather tight building and the work will include extensive roofing renewals, window repairs and rain water and drainage improvements. This will be followed by internal refurbishment work, carried out by Morleys, to create a vibrant new store to serve Bath.
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: “The council is investing significantly in the restoration of Jolly’s and I’ll watch with interest as work is carried out to preserve the historic fabric of this flagship building at the heart of the Milsom Quarter.”
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.”
Follow Jolly’s Bath at https://instagram.com/jollysbath and https://facebook.com/jollysbath
