Fenwick Colchester

Fenwick Colchester is a large high street department store situated in Colchester, Essex, England formerly known as Williams & Griffin (1963–2016).Independent for much of its history, it was formed from the merger of H.E. Williams & Co Ltd (an ironmonger and agricultural machinery business) and another Colchester family business, H.L. Griffin & Co Ltd (a furnishings store), in April 1963. In 2007, Williams & Griffin won "Best Independent Department Store of the Year", sponsored by Drapers. The award was picked up by Colchester's MP, Bob Russell, who proposed an early day motion on the topic, but in March 2008 was sold to the Fenwick chain of department stores. Current departments include beauty, fashion, toys, gifts, housewares and furniture, as well as top-floor restaurant Carluccio's.H. L. Griffin & Co.H. L. Griffin & Co had its beginnings early in the nineteenth century, when a William Griffin set up as a linen draper along with a business partner with the surname Barrell. It was not long, however, before Griffin was independent and adding haberdashery to his business, with premises at 5 and 6 Botolph Street; they were extended in number 7 in the 1840s. At the same time a shop on the High Street was opened (number 50) but this closed after a few years, making way for premises on Head Street. In March 1855, William Griffin Senior retired, leaving the business to his son William, which was now styled "Griffin and Son". Another son, George Lainson Griffin, set up another drapery business on Botolph Street whilst a third, John Edward Griffin, set up as an auctioneer, valuer and estate agent on Queen Street, the same profession to which William Griffin Jr. also turned his hand after selling his drapery business in 1861.