One of THE OLDEST family owned department stores in the UK is celebrating its 250th birthday today (Tuesday 22nd April 2025).
Hatchers in Taunton was founded in April 1775, beginning its life as a drapery business. Today it is a thriving department store on the town’s High Street, employing more than 40 people and selling everything from toasters to toys, from washing machines to womenswear (and menswear too!).
It stands as a beacon of retail commercial success in an age when store closures and “the demise of our High Street” is being reported daily.
The existing store location can track its roots to 1792. One of the day books from that time is still in existence and is a prized possession of the present directors of the firm.
A special event to mark the 250th anniversary will be held today, Tuesday April 22nd at 10am. Former staff will be invited to join the “party” – and tuck into a specially made birthday cake. The Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, will also be present.
The Hill and Raisey families, both living in Somerset, who became owners of the store in 1986, can trace their own family roots in Hatchers back to the 60s and early 70s when members of both families were directors in the store.
Mike Hill and Clive Raisey, who were already shareholders in the company, said that taking full ownership was a huge decision at the time, but one that has made them extremely proud,
Mike said: “Predatory development & investment companies were circling to buy Hatchers at the time. But we wanted it to stay local. We wanted to keep it as a family business. It was a stressful time, for sure, and from that moment on it was a vertical learning curve!”
Clive commented: “We have always looked on Hatchers as being like a family. We did have offers to buy it from us but we wanted to protect it for the future, for all the staff that work there. Some of our staff have spent all of their working life at Hatchers.”
Mr Hill and Mr Raisey’s sons, Stephen and Mark, are now Directors of the business. And the family focus of the business continues as other family members are also involved: Mike’s wife Patricia, son David, daughter-in-law Tracey & granddaughters Emily & Phoebe. Mark’s wife Vicky, and his children Emily, Toby, Will & Tom have all spent time in the business too.
Stephen said today: “The Hatchers story is really unique in today’s business world. What other store can talk of such history? And I am proud to be part owner of the company now.”
Mark added: “It is a fantastic past but I believe we also have a bright future. The people of Taunton – and much further afield – continue to support us. We have a fantastically loyal customer base, so we look forward to our 300th birthday!”
Nelson, Napoleon, Washington and Wellington and other giants of history were alive when Hatchers was born in 1775. It was the beginning of the American Revolutionary War and George III was on the throne in England. It was also a time before Income Tax was invented!
Stories about the colourful past of Hatchers (some true, some probably not!) can be found in quite a few history books and publications. In the early 60s a local newspaper article spoke of Hatchers as being like a matrimonial agency for its “high quality” female staff. “These ladies frequently married well”, said the article. And there was a “living in” house for staff.
Page boys stood outside the front doors of the store and customers were offered refreshments as they walked in. The article says that ladies were offered wine and gentlemen were taken down to the cellars for beer and cheese. How times have changed!