It's the end of an era. The department store Howells, which has been part of Cardiff for over 150 years, is set to close down. While a date has yet to be confirmed, the closure of the beloved store is likely to happen next month, it has been reported.
The Howells building has been a major shopping destination in the city centre for years, though it rebranded as House of Fraser in 2010. Having first opened to the public in 1869, generations of shoppers in Cardiff have fond memories of visiting and working in the store.
James Howell moved his shop, which was originally on The Hayes, to the landmark St Mary Street site in 1867 after the success of his business meant he needed a larger premises. New departments for carpets, furnishings, millinery goods, and even funeral services were added to the store over the years.
READ MORE: House of Fraser in Cardiff city centre set to close down
By 1905, Howells employed over 400 members of staff, and the store continued to expand through the years. Speaking in 2018, Howard Jones, who worked in Howells with his identical twin brother Michael, said in his 20 years as food court manager he was in charge of no fewer than 45 staff in a department which encompassed the area where Waterstones, Caffe Nero, and the luggage section of House of Fraser lies now.
He said: “I didn’t actually know much about food but was asked to go there to look after the staff and become involved in buying all the stuff in the food hall. We would have everything and I mean it – we would grind our own coffee, own our own chocolate, we had 130 different whiskies. We had a counter for cooked meats, a counter for diabetic food – the only thing we didn’t stock was dog food or washing powder.”
Dating back to the days before broadband, the winter sales would also take on a life of its own, Howard added. He said: "When I was in menswear we would start preparing for two weeks before to get everything done. Before we would bring things in specially like one-off TVs at low prices and new shirts. We would sell hundreds. I don’t think they do so much now.”
From the fashion department to the food hall, former employees have warm memories of working there. To get more Cardiff stories straight to your inbox, subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
"I worked in the food hall straight from school aged 15 for six years [and] loved it there [in] 1969," June Coombes said. Martin Puddifer, who was employed at the store for five years between 1997 and 2002, said he "loved every second" of working there.
Former employee Naomi Westwood said the store was the "most fun place to work", adding: "[I] loved working here, such a shame to see it close." Sian Davies, also a former employee, added: "[I] worked here in the 90s [in] women’s designer fashion. Good times. Such a shame, but the high street is sadly no more."
As a child, Mona George aspired to shop at the store when she was older. "I worked there for a week. Lovely store. So many good memories wandering through their departments and hoping to shop there when I ‘grew up’! Both never happened," she said.
After the death of James Howell, ownership of the store passed onto his 11 children, operating under the names James Howell and Co. Ltd - which can still be seen emblazoned under the store's windows. As the store expanded in the 1920s, it took over the site of the Bethany Chapel - the frontage of which remains in the store to this day.
James's children sold the store in the 1950s to Welsh banker Sir Julian Hodge who went onto sell the store on to Mohammed Al-Fayed, owner of the House of Fraser chain. It marked the end of the independent department store.
As well as former employees, those who visited the store throughout its history have fond memories browsing its different departments. For many who grew up visiting the store, it was their first encounter with Father Christmas. Margaret Worthington recalls visiting the store to meet the real-deal as a child: "Loved that store. When I was a child, I believed it was the only one with the real Father Christmas," she said.
Similarly, Andree Wood has memories of visiting Father Christmas there across generations, saying: "My first thoughts were of Father Christmas as a kid and taking my own kids with my Grampy." Suzanne Grover met Father Christmas at the store in 1953, and still has the photo from the trip. She said: "A sad end to a once great store. Only Howells had ‘the real Father Christmas’."
Former shoppers have said that the store is part of Cardiff's heritage, recalling spending hours browsing the shelves. Andy Mousoulou said: "It’s a part of Cardiff capital city's heritage in my opinion. I bought loads from there over the years, even just to window shop inside was a day out back in the day."
"I spent hours of my student years wandering around there," Rhian Francis Knuszka recalled. "I especially liked the food hall when it existed. I only make my way there very occasionally these days. Always half empty and poor signage so waste time if looking for something specific. Sad it’s going though. Hope John Lewis hangs on."
For many, the building holds special memories. Sally-Anne Tucker visited the store in preparation for her wedding. "I bought my going away outfit there and my mum bought her mother of the bride outfit there too, plus the bridesmaids' material," she said. "Those were the days when it was a brilliant store. I also remember visiting it when I was very little and playing with the toys and burning my knee badly."
Having been part of Cardiff's history for so long, the store has seen some dramatic events in its time. The House of Fraser chain caused controversy due to its sale of animal fur in the 1980s. Activists even petrol bombed the store in an attempt to stop the sales and a small fire broke out after the Animal Liberation Front planted bombs in the building.
Then, in 2005, the store became part of history once again - though with a fake explosion this time. As Doctor Who returned to our screens, the store was 'blown up' in the first episode of the new series, acting as Rose Tyler's workplace, 'Henrik's'.
What's next for Howells?
Those passing the store have likely noticed the 'closing down - extra 20% off' signs displayed in the windows. But what lies in store for the beloved building? The first phase of a scheme to transform the site has been announced by investment company Thackeray, which is planning to turn the building into a £100m mixed-used re-development.
Known as 'The Percy' - an acknowledgement of Sir Percy Thomas, the building's architect - the scheme would include a roof terrace and, depending on the letting deal struck, could potentially see office, retail, food and drink uses. The plans announced were for the part of the building not occupied by House of Fraser.
Thackeray previously said that the scheme’s first tenant will serve as an anchor for the entire re-development scheme. A masterplan for this is expected to be revealed by the spring, and could see a variety of investments including new bars, restaurants, retail, apartments and even a hotel incorporated into the building. You can read more about the proposals here.
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