Bennetts: The World’s Oldest Department Store and iconic Cathedral Quarter business has returned to the virtual high street with the official launch of an new retail website https://www.bennettsofderby.co.uk/ .
Derby businessman Paul Hurst – best known for restoring and reopening The Old Bell Hotel in nearby Sadler Gate – bought the fixed assets and goodwill of Bennetts in October 2019 following the closure of the Iron Gate store.
Since then, he and his team have been working with Bennetts suppliers both old and new to source gifts, food and drink, homewares, nursery items, toys and games as well as Christmas decoration ranges which have been particularly synonymous with Bennetts over the years.
The team has also been painstakingly clearing the remaining contents and fittings from the store in Iron Gate as well as archiving the historic records of the business which was established in 1734.
Mr Hurst also remains extremely confident that Bennetts will re-open as a flagship store in the heart of Derby’s Cathedral Quarter – bringing a new retail theatre experience to the city centre.
The new website also features the history and some of the milestones including the many celebrity visitors Bennetts has hosted over the years.