Featherstones

Featherstones were a small department store group located in Kent.

History

In 1901 John Thomas Featherstone set up a store in Chatham High Street to supply goods to the public, with the novel idea of selling them on credit with no interest charged.^[1]

The store sold a large range of goods from a drapery department to coal. They were listed in early adverts as Universal Providers.^[2]

By the 1930s they had opened further branches in Rochester High Street; Bell Road Sittingbourne; The Broadway Sheerness; Palace Street Canterbury; Parrock Street Gravesend; Earl Street Maidstone.^[3] The business ran a club which shoppers could save their money with to buy goods.^[4]

During the 1970s Chris Featherstone, a member of the family raced sportscars, including Formula 5000.^[5][6]

The business continued to run until 1981, when the stores were closed and the business changed its focus onto property.^[7]

References