For more than a century, J. R. Taylor was one of the best-known names in retail on the Fylde Coast. Occupying a prominent position in the Century Buildings at the corner of Garden Street and St Annes Road West, the family-owned department store became a landmark in the heart of St Annes, serving generations of local residents and visitors alike. The business was founded in 1901 by John Robert Taylor, who established his first store in the newly completed Century Buildings. St Annes itself was still a relatively young seaside town, having begun its rapid development only in the final decades of the nineteenth century, and Taylor recognised the opportunities presented by its growing population and expanding tourist trade.
James R. Taylor served as the Mayor of the Borough of Lytham St Annes during the 1943–1944 term. Image provided by Fylde Council.
What began as a modest drapery business steadily expanded into a traditional department store, selling clothing, footwear, household goods, furnishings, gifts and a wide variety of everyday essentials. As the business prospered, additional neighbouring premises were incorporated until the store occupied much of the Garden Street frontage, with entrances on both Garden Street and St Annes Road West. Its distinctive Edwardian frontage became one of the defining features of St Annes town centre. John Robert Taylor was not only a successful businessman but also an active public servant. He was elected to Lytham St Annes Borough Council in 1922 and became well known for his commitment to civic life. During the difficult years of the Second World War he served as Mayor of Lytham St Annes for 1943–44, guiding the borough through one of the most challenging periods in its history while continuing to oversee his flourishing business.
Throughout the twentieth century, J. R. Taylor remained proudly independent at a time when many family-owned department stores across Britain were disappearing into larger retail groups. The store earned a reputation for high standards of customer service, quality merchandise and knowledgeable staff, with many local families making it their first choice for school uniforms, fashion, household goods and Christmas shopping. For many people growing up on the Fylde Coast, a visit to J. R. Taylor became a cherished tradition. The business continued to evolve with changing shopping habits. During the 1950s it expanded beyond Lancashire by acquiring the Blackburn department store Mabel Stephenson, demonstrating its ambition while remaining firmly rooted in its St Annes headquarters. Despite increasing competition from national chains, shopping centres and out-of-town retail parks, J. R. Taylor retained its loyal customer base for many decades.
However, like many independent department stores across the United Kingdom, trading conditions became increasingly difficult during the early twenty-first century. The growth of online shopping, changing consumer habits and the economic pressures affecting traditional high streets placed enormous strain on long-established family retailers. After 114 years of trading, J. R. Taylor closed its doors in January 2015, bringing to an end one of the longest retail histories on the Fylde Coast. The closure marked the end of an era for St Annes, with many residents expressing sadness at the loss of a business that had served several generations of local families. The building remained vacant for several years while various redevelopment proposals were considered.
In 2021, planning permission was granted for the sympathetic redevelopment of the former department store into a boutique hotel, restaurant and spa. The proposals sought to preserve the building’s historic Edwardian façades while giving the landmark a new role within the continuing regeneration of St Annes town centre. Although the shop itself has now passed into history, J. R. Taylor remains one of the most fondly remembered businesses on the Fylde Coast. For well over a century it stood as far more than a department store; it was a meeting place, a trusted local retailer and an enduring symbol of independent family business. Its story mirrors the growth of St Annes itself, from a young Victorian seaside resort into the thriving town enjoyed today, ensuring that the name J. R. Taylor continues to occupy a special place in the memories of generations of Fylde Coast residents.
Image courtesy of Peter Shakeshaft
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