Commercial and Industrial Business of Exeter

Colsons, Dingles and now The House of Fraser

founded 1792 Georgian traders

Colsons, and later, Dingles have been a part of Exeter for more than 200 years. They have always been based in the same place in the High Street and have gone through several rebuildings, and introduced the first escalator to Exeter.

It was in 1792, when Mrs Colson, a milliner opened a store selling among other things, silk and tea. Her son, Mr John Worthy Colson was brought into the business, and added a linen section. In 1829, he took another partner into the business, becoming Colson and Sparks. It was a short lived partnership which ended in 1832.

In 1870, John Colson (it is not certain if this was John Worthy Colson or his son), formed another partnership and the store became known as Colson and Gates. In 1887, his eldest son George, took over the business. In the same year George became Sheriff of Exeter. Also in 1887, Colsons had a macabre increase in trade when they gave their entire stock of calico to wrap the bodies of the victims, after the Theatre Royal fire in Longbrook Street, which killed 186.

The 1897 entry in Kelly's Directory for Colson's reads:

"Colson & Company drapers, silk mercers, milliners, costumiers, mantle makers, ladies' & children's outfitters, furriers, hosiers & undertakers, 33 & 34 High st"

121 years of trade ends for the Colson's

In 1913, the business was bought by the Exeter JP, Sir Edgar Plummer who ran the store for 12 years before selling it to Bright's of Bournemouth in 1925. The trading name of Bright and Colsons was born.

The War Years are a drag!

During the war years, Colsons continued to trade - whether their window displays were special is difficult to say, but it is known that Danny la Rue, who was evacuated to Kennford at the start of the war, worked in the bakery for Colsons, before defecting to Waltons to become a window dresser, across the road.

The blitz of 4th May 1942 proved to be a dramatic time for the business. During the raid, the Church Army Home through to H E Williams in Catherine Street, at the back of Colsons were hit by a high explosive bomb. Also the building next to Colsons in the High Street was destroyed by incendiary bombs.

At 17.26 on the 4th May a call went out from Column Officer Lyne, based in Cathedral Close,

"send Turntable Ladder immediately to Colsons - relay will be available on arrival".

The bomb damaged premises around Colsons had succumbed to the flames and the fire spread into the top floor and roof of the store. The rest of the building was only saved by the timely action of the fire services and a 4ft 6in cob wall that held the flames back.

Rebuilding in stages

There was much that survived of a rather handsome, if architecturally mixed building after the bombing. Indeed, in comparison with the businesses all around, Colsons had escaped lightly. The western end of the store had a rather fine bow window on the first floor that protruded over the pavement. The undamaged parts of the store continued to trade until after the war. Plans were made between 1949-50 to alter the existing premises, but in the end the decision was made to start again.

In 1953, plans were drawn up by Dix's Field architect F W Beech & E Curnow Cookes to replace the whole of the store in nine stages, to create as little disruption to trade as possible. The rebuilding, was done by M T Sleeman and Son, on an expanded site that had included the former shops of Bellmans and Wymans. This new store was the first in Exeter to have an escalator installed. The curved wall at the rear of the premises was the only feature that survived from the old building. In 1960, the J J Allen group took over Colsons and added the Maryon Fashion Group Ltd and Chanelle Ltd to the store. They also incorporated other internal shops such as Danimac, Weatherall and the wine store, Harveys. In 1966 they opened a Food Hall.

The House of Fraser

It was in 1969 that the last takeover of Colsons occurred when the House of Fraser, the parent group of Harrods took control. The name was changed to Dingles, in September 1973.

With the building of the new Princesshay 'streetscape' (shopping centre to you and me) it was decided to spend £1.5 million to upgrade Dingles to meet the new competion from the much larger Debenhams. At the same time, the name Dingles was dropped and the House of Fraser adopted in September 2007.

Source - Express and Echo clippings, A Century of Exeter by Peter Thomas, Exeter Burning by Peter Thomas and conversations with Sylvia Hart.

Kastner of Exeter

Noel Kastner had been living abroad when he decided to purchase a Ford garage from a Mr Sammy Tremaine in Honiton, in 1961. Kastner's two son-in-laws joined the business as Sales Manager and the Bodyshop Manager. The business flourished and in 1970, the decision was made to become a Volvo dealership, under the name, Kastner Volvo.

In 1975, the existing Exeter Volvo dealership based at the Bedford Street Garage became vacant and Kastner took it over at a new location in Magdalen Road, closing down the Honiton premises after 14 years. The new premises soon became the centre for all Volvo owners to take their cars. The business flourished, but eventually Noel Kastner decided to sell up and emigrate to Australia. An investment company took over the business and new showrooms were opened in Plymouth, Chippenham, Bristol and Bracknell. In 1983 petrol sales from the Magdalen Road forecourt were discontinued to allow the expansion of sales and service. In 1992, there was a management buyout and the Exeter business moved to a new, purpose built premises at Matford Park. Although the Magdalen Road garage was sold for redevelopment, to date the premises remain - a rather fine example of 1930's architecture.

The Magdalen Road garage is a handsome building, whose design dates from 1933 in an art decor style. The architects, R M Challice and Son of Bedford Circus, Exeter produced a design that added to an existing garage. The building, built with the then new, cavity wall construction is set back from the road to allow the placing of petrol pumps at the front. The centre of the front protrudes with a clock set centrally and a suspended cantilevered roof below, protruding from the building and creating a cover from the elements. It is said, that the original design was conceived so that if the building ceased to be a garage, it could be converted into flats. Commissioned by Albert Warren for Warren Garage's, it was for many years known as Motor Mecca. During 205 to 2007, the garage has been refurbished into residential accommodation. The developer is to be congratulated on a sensitive and appropriate conversion, which retains many of the features of the original building. If only more developers could be this innovative, rather than just destructive.

The Met Office - a short history Forecasting for mariners

It was in 1854 that the Board of Trade gave to Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy RN, the task of founding and running the British Meteorological Department. Fitzroy was told to prepare tables of weather for different ocean areas, that mariners could refer to for the likely weather at that time of year. The Vice-Admiral, was a good choice for such as task, for he had been the captain of HMS Beagle when it circumnavigated the world, between 1831 and 1836, with Charles Darwin on board. He had proved himself a first rate navigator and surveyor on the voyage. In the eleven years running the new Meteorological Department, Fitzroy went further than his brief, by introducing the first daily weather forecast in the Times, to some public derision, when it didn't always prove itself so accurate as today. By having observers in coastal ports and resorts around the country, and using the telegraph to send in their measurements and observations every morning Fitzroy, and a team of three others, would have a forecast for the country ready by 11am.

He also devised, in 1861, a storm warning system for shipping which resulted in harbour masters hoisting a pendant to indicate wind speed and direction. Robert Fitzroy also invented a barometer that was both cheap and accurate. Sadly, he was prone to mental depression and he took his own life in April 1865.

Radio and TV gets in on the act

After Fitzroys' death, the Meteorological Department grew and embarked on gathering weather data from all over the world. Innovations were introduced, such as the use of radio to transmit weather information to the shore from ships in the Atlantic, in 1909. The development of flying required accurate weather forecasts and in 1912, the Department established a weather station at South Farnborough to provide up to date weather forecasts for pilots. On 14th November 1922, the BBC broadcast its first wireless weather forecast provided by the Met Office, followed in March 1923 by a daily broadcast. The importance of accurate weather forecasting in war became apparent when the D-Day landings were postponed for a day, on the advice of the forecasters. The German forecasters failed to see the small high pressure system that allowed the invasion to go ahead on the 6th June. The 1953 flooding of eastern England prompted the Met Office to introduce a Storm Tide Forecasting Service, followed on 11th January 1954 by the first regular BBC television weather broadcast given by a trained meteorologist.

Bracknell and the super computer

A purpose built weather centre was opened by the Queen in Bracknell during 1962 with its first electronic computer to provide forecasts using newly developed numerical techniques. Over the years, at Bracknell, the Met Office introduced the first satellite weather pictures, the first super computer and embarked with others on international collaboration in weather forecasting.

Go west they say!

In 2000, the staff of the Met Office were balloted about the destination for a move - the other possible towns were Norwich, Reading and Bracknell. Exeter proved the favourite, and after other considerations were taken into account and complex negotiations with the City Council, the Government announced in November 2000 that Exeter would be the destination for the Met Office building. Work started on 1st November 2001 to build a state of the art, weather forecasting centre with Broadway Malyan chosen to design the new building. A consortium of Costain, Skanska and Group 4 Falk were contracted to build and run the new building for 15 years, at a cost of £150 million. Two supercomputer halls were built, an energy centre, a library and visitor/conference facilities. The first computer hall was handed over in December 2002 and the installation of computer systems started in January 2003. The first staff from Bracknell moved into the building during June 2003 before the new Met Office was formally opened on 18th December 2003. This was an exciting time for Exeter with 1,150 staff along with their families moving down to the area, and scores of new jobs for locals created to service the centre.

The Met Office building is a modern, energy efficient centre that provides weather forecasting services to governments, military, international companies, airlines and many other organisations. It is designed with a single street layout, with offices branching off and a central stream running through the building which helps staff to orientate themselves and offers some security. Much of the work in the building is covered by the official secrets act and the Met Office is attached to the MOD. It is fittingly located down Fitzroy Road, in the east of the city. History starts yesterday, and the Met Office moving to Exeter is an event that will be etched into Exonian's memories for a long time and will hopefully prove to be a worthy addition to Exeter's history.

Thomas Moore, Fore Street

An old Exeter business Early days

The founder of the well known Exeter store, Thomas Snow Moore was born in 1883. As a very young man, Moore obtained work as an assistant in the men's outfitting trade in Bristol and London. He moved with his parents to 5 Belmont Road, Exeter and using his experience in the trade, he opened on 21st March 1907, a gentleman's outfitters at 103 Fore Street, next to a tea wholesaler and two doors away from a temperance hotel! His slogan was 'unsurpassed for variety, quality and style!'. Indeed at that time, his top quality made to measure suits started at the then reasonable price of 35 shillings (£1.75) and the 'universal shirt' sold for just 2/6 (12½ pence).

Although Fore Street was considered to be somewhat 'downmarket' at the time, with its close proximity to the West Quarter, the shop quickly gained a high reputation among the more affluent of Exeter. By 1910, Moore's had moved into the shop next door and was one of the first businesses in Exeter to install gas lighting to illuminate the display in the shop front. The business expanded with the introduction of children's wear, helped no doubt, by Moore's McDonald's like promotion, of a free penknife to every customer.

Motorcycling around Exeter

Moore was an early enthusiast for motorcycling and was well known in Exeter as he rode his Triumph motorcycle around the streets. At the outbreak of the Great War, he enlisted as a despatch rider, in the 18th Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corp, leaving his mother to run the business. On 21st September 1917, at the Battle of Zillebeke, he was killed at the age of just 36. It is known that the Germans had counter attacked the British position at 7am, but were repelled. Thomas Moore was buried in the Sir Edwin Lutyens designed Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium after the Armistice. His mother, Sophia was heartbroken, so she sold the shop - the new owners continued with the name, Thomas Moore.

Expansion with tradition

In 1952, a new partnership of Edward Walters and Ralph Alford took over the business and a period of expansion ensued. They purchased the credit traders, Wonnacotts and renamed the business Thomas Moore and Wonnacott Ltd. The credit side of the business expanded, although they reverted to the original Thomas Moore name after a couple of years.

England swings to the Millennium

In the 1960's girls and ladies clothing was added to the range. In 1982, on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the company, Edward Walters died. The business continued to be run by Walters son, along with two of Alfords sons. Although young Walters retired in 1998, the store continued to serve the people of Exeter and now occupies 102, 103 and 104 Fore Street and has grown from 3 employees in 1907 to 35 now.

Stone and Sons, Chemist - an old Exeter Company

It was in 1760 that the Exeter pharmacist, Dr Stone, invented a pure beeswax furniture cream. It does not seem like a likely invention, but this was the golden age of English furniture making. Thomas Chippendale, Robert Adam and Thomas Sheraton created a market for fine Georgian furniture that needed polishing. What better product than a furniture cream.

Situated at 166 Fore Street, in what is now Adams Hardware Store, the business expanded into making pharmaceutical products for both human and animal use. A favourite was Stone's Rennet, which was used to make cheese and junkets - the name lives on today with another manufacturer. By 1900, there was a small production line devoted to making furniture cream and other products and they were listed as a drugs wholesaler, on the Exeter Insurance Map of 1911. The early 20th century saw Hilda Stone, and her cousin Alan, managing the business.

Disaster struck in May 1942, when bombing destroyed the shop and manufacturing premises, along with Marks and Spencer, Liptons and Freeths Confectioners, all in the same block, by fire and water. The business moved to a new shop in Mary Arches Street, in what is now, Butlers. Hilda and Alan retired soon after, the last Stone's to be associated with the business, which was passed on to their old employees.

A local manufacturing chemist, Jackson's bought the business in 1960, who in turn were purchased by Cadbury Schweppes in 1989. Production of the furniture cream ceased, as it did not fit in with the giant company's product range. However, Jackson's still manufacture and sell Stone's Rennet for making junkets.

Soon after, in 1989, Louisa Wragg asked a former employee of Stone's if there was any stock left, as she could no longer buy it in the shops. The friend confirmed that there was no stock left, but they would give Louisa's husband, David, the recipe and method of production. Manufacturing started again, based in Crediton, making and selling the original 1760 product. The company supplies furniture cream to several national chains and many furniture and antique dealers. Manufacturing consumes a ton of pharmaceutical beeswax per annum, using the same recipe and method of manufacture, that Dr Stone devised in 1760.

Sources - Stones website, Exeter Burning by Peter Thomas, 1911 Insurance Map More information on Stones products may be found on their website at stonesfurniturecream.co.uk

Vapormatic - an Exeter based engineering company

Although based at Sowton Trading Estate, Vapormatic's roots are in Budleigh Salterton. Ron Foster an engineer who had designed and developed a device to convert tractor petrol engines to run on vaporising oil (diesel) joined forces with Arthur E Lea, a former Shell Sales Executive to manufacture and market the device. The 'Vapormatic' conversion kit could be retro fitted to the engine, reducing the cost of fuel to run the tractor. The push for greater agricultural output in the post war period meant farmers were keen to increase production, and converting their tractors to run on diesel was very cost effective.

The kits proved popular, and during the 1950's the company expanded by exporting around the world. New products were added, such as wing carriers for tractors, Matic plough shares, safety devices and various spare parts. Inevitably, as old tractors were replaced with new diesel machinery, the market for the conversion kit dropped towards the end of the 1950's. During the 1960's, the company developed an international network of dealers to supply spare parts for the many new tractors being purchased around the world. In 1963, The Vapormatic Co (Ireland) Ltd was opened in Dublin, and in 1964 they opened in France and Melbourne, Australia.

Investments were made in information technology with the introduction of an IBM System 3 computer in 1973. Soon, the company had outgrown its Budleigh Salterton site and a five acre, green field site at Sowton, adjacent to the M5 was purchased, and in 1977 a warehouse for the storage and distribution of parts, office accommodation and development areas was opened. In the same year Grovewood Securities Ltd, part of the Eagle Star PLC took over Vapormatic. In 1984, Eagle Star were taken over in turn by British American Tobacco.

In 1985, further warehousing was added to the site and Vapormatic Canada was formed, by purchasing the local Agriparts Canada. The machinations of company ownership rose again when Vapormatic became part of the Wolseley PLC in 1986 and the introduction of an improved stock keeping system. In 1987, the company won recognition by being awarded the Queen's Award for Export Achievement. Through the rest of the 80's and 1990's Vapormatic formed bases in Spain, the USA, Zimbabwe, and Mexico. Further investments in information technology have been made and contracts for supplying third party parts signed. In 2000, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary, of the first sales of Vapormatic conversion kits for tractors.