A deep dive into the 250-year success of Taunton’s beloved family owned department store.
Hatchers, one of the country’s oldest family-owned department stores, have been thriving for the last 250 years. Founded by William Hatcher in 1775 as a small drapery business, the local Taunton business even pre-dates income tax. Over the 18th and 19th century, the business steadily grew, and William’s son Thomas Hatcher became a Master Draper. In celebration of their success and longevity, join us for a deep dive into Hatchers interesting past. The business has flourished in times of change, and welcomed new family members along the way. Read on to find out how Hatchers celebrated this momentous occasion.
In the Beginning
1792: The store occupied No.12 and No.13 High Street, still part of the department store today.
1861: Trading under ‘Newberry, Blake & Hatcher.’ Demas Hatcher, son of Thomas Hatcher, married his business partner Rice Blake’s niece – Catherine Blake. Together, household and staff numbered 25, with seven draper’s assistants, four apprentices, a porter, and five assistants.
1866: Partner Robert Newberry died, and the business became known as ‘Blake & Hatcher.’
1869: Addition of funeral service
1871: Expansion continued, with the opening of a furniture shop at 33 The Parade, selling ‘spring and wool mattresses, iron and brass bedsteads, furniture and soft furnishings.’
The Victorian Era
1876: Henry and Robert Hatcher, sons of Demas Hatcher, join the firm.
1883: Rice Blake retired, dissolving the partnership. The business took on its current trading name ‘Hatcher & Sons.’
1893: Plans drawn up for the erection of a purpose-built furnishing shop at 54-55 High Street.
1894: The Furnishing shop opens on 20th October. The shop boasted expertly executed showrooms and carpet planning rooms, with a warehouse and workshops for the cabinet-makers, upholsterers and French Polishers. The old furniture shop on the Parade was closed, and stock was moved to these new premises.
1898: A landmark in its history, the business became a limited company – ‘Hatcher & Sons Ltd.’ Henry and Robert were among the first five directors, with Robert becoming the first Managing Director.
The 20th Century
1901: No. 15-16 High Street were acquired, becoming home to a new department for china, glass, toys, a tearoom, and later the men’s department.
1910: The next generation joined the firm. Son of Robert, Arthur Robert Hatcher was destined to serve the company for an incredible 53 years.
1920: After WW1, a purpose built depository, used for storage, was constructed on Kingston Road.
1923: Henry passed away, with Arthur taking on the role of Managing Director.
A time of change
1925: A 16-page brochure advertising the Winter Sale shows the business to be operating at No.11,12,13,14,15, 16, 54, 55, and 56 High Street. A ladies hairdressing ‘salon’ was later opened, adding even more value to Hatchers impressive range.
1941: Expansion continued as No.10 High Street was purchased. Arthur’s younger brother Clifford joined the firm.
1943: No. 9 High Street was purchased, completing the premises as it stands today.
1961: The Great-Great-Grandson of William Hatcher, Leslie, joined the firm. The 1960s and 1970s were a time of change, as experienced outside management were brought in.
1963: Arthur sadly passed away. Stanley George Davie became Managing Director.
1965: Robert Clive Raisey joined the firm.
1971: Adrian Michael Hill joined the firm.
1973: With the retirement of Mr Davie, Mr Hill took on the role of Managing Directory, and Mr Raisey became Finance Director.
The Family Business grows
1982: The sale of No.15-16 High Street to Tesco, and the furniture building at No. 54 and 55 High Street, allowed for the yard, stables, and outbuildings at No. 9-13 High Street to be demolished. This made way for the modern two-storey extension built in 1982, forming the iconic department store we see today.
1986: The absence of the Hatcher family made Hatchers an appealing takeover opportunity for investment companies acting on behalf of larger national stores such as John lewis and House of Fraser. In a heroic bid to save its future, Mr Hill and Mr Raisey, along with their wives, successfully secured over 70% of the companies shareholding.
1988: Clive’s son Mark joined the family business.
1993: Mark appointed Director.
1995: Michael’s son David joins the firm.
1996: The family business grows, as David’s son joins the business.
1998: A momentous occasion, Hatchers celebrated 100 years as a Limited Company. Mr Raisey retired, with Stephen Hill taking over his role. The same year, the old warehouse on Kingston Road was no longer suitable for the current businesses needs, and was sold for redevelopment.
Thriving in the present day
2000: Stephen Hill appointed Director.
2002: The Hill and Raisey families acquired the remaining shares in the firms, making the firms ownership wholly family owned for the first time in over 100 years.
2008: Michael Hill stepped down from day-to-day management, but following the family business tradition, Mark Raisey and Stephen Hill now run the business. Michael Hill and Clive Raisey continue to be Directors.
Celebrating a history of 250 years. Mark and his team join the party.
Hatchers celebrated their 250th Anniversary in style. His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq, joined the Hill and Raisey families to cut their celebratory cake, and unveil their commemorative plaque.
Pictured below is His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq, presenting Hatchers Managing Director Michael Hill with a letter from His Majesty the King.
We are honored to share in the celebrations of Hatchers 250th Anniversary. Hatchers have truly stood the test of time, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.
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