Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas Deliveries: If you placed an order on or before midday on Friday 19th December for Christmas delivery it was despatched before the Royal Mail or Parcel Force deadline and therefore should be received in time for Christmas. Orders placed after midday on Friday 19th December will be delivered in the New Year.

Please Note: Our offices and factory are now closed until Monday 5th January when we will be pleased to deal with any queries that have arisen during the holiday period.

During the holiday our Gift Cards may still be ordered for any last minute orders and will be sent automatically by email direct to your recipient - see here: Gift Cards

Kingston Upon Thames, Bentalls Corner c.1960
Photo ref: K32058
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More about this scene

Kingston is well renowned as a shopping centre of excellence, with Bentalls department store in Clarence Street at its hub. The store first opened in 1863 as a small draper's shop, and it expanded over the years. The six- storey store we see here, designed by Sir Aston Webb & Son, who had also designed Kingston Guildhall, was built in 1936. The intention was to emulate an Italian Renaissance palace and Hampton Court Palace.

Memories of Kingston upon Thames, Bentalls Corner c1960

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Kingston Upon Thames, Bentalls Corner c.1960

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I remember being fascinated by these as a child in the 60's - was like the hall of mirrors at a funfair as they distorted your reflection! There used to be an intriguing facade of an old vicarage built into the side of Bentalls, this was unfortunately lost when the place was structurally altered to make a shopping mall. I assume being a facade it wasn't under same protection as a complete ...see more