Jolly's, a historic department store in Bath and one of Europe’s oldest, is preparing to close its doors after over two centuries of operation. "Closing down" signs have appeared in the shop

windows, signaling the end of an era for the iconic retail space.

Currently operated by the House of Fraser group, Jolly’s has long been a centerpiece of Bath's Milsom Quarter. While the exact date of the store's closure remains unconfirmed, Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES), which owns the building, has revealed that discussions are "at an advanced stage" with a new third-party occupier to take over the site.

A spokesperson for BANES stated that the council has been working diligently over the past six years to ensure a secure future for the landmark store. “A significant element of our plan is to re-establish Jolly’s as the anchor store for Milsom Street. Ongoing works will bring significant investment to the building in the coming months,” they said.

While details about the future of the site remain under wraps, the council emphasized its commitment to preserving the importance of this historic location. Meanwhile, the House of Fraser group has yet to comment on the store's closure timeline.

The closure of Jolly's marks a pivotal moment for Bath’s retail landscape, as efforts to revitalize the Milsom Quarter continue. Photo by Stephen Richards, Wikimedia commons.