The steady decline of the traditional British high street is set to claim another iconic landmark, as the House of Fraser store in Plymouth, Devon, prepares to close its doors forever in March 2026. The news marks the end of a retail institution that has served the city for over a century, originally opening as Dingles in 1880.
A Personal Farewell to a Community Hub
For former employee Katie Oborn, who worked at the store from 2010 until 2020, the closure is a deeply personal blow. She recalls a store that was far more than just a shopping destination; it was a vibrant social centre where staff and regular customers would chat and connect. The store housed popular concessions like Nespresso, Mango, Clarins, and Ted Baker, and staff were always smartly dressed to reflect their brands.
"The atmosphere was always lively, professional and sociable," Oborn remembers. She highlights the fifth-floor Dingles cafe, a popular rendezvous spot with fascinating city views, and the ground-floor Caffè Nero as key parts of the experience. The store also stocked classic British brands such as Royal Doulton, Wedgwood and Waterford, elegantly displayed in glass cabinets.
A Storied History of Resilience
The store's history is one of remarkable resilience. Founded by Edward Dingle as a drapery shop, the original site was destroyed in the 1941 Blitz. It famously rose from the ashes, reopening on Royal Parade in September 1951 as the first new UK department store in over a decade, even featuring Plymouth's first escalator.
It was rebranded as House of Fraser in 1988, though locals never stopped calling it Dingles. That same year, the store was damaged by a fire caused by animal rights activists as part of a national anti-fur campaign. Despite these challenges, it remained a beloved fixture.
The End of an Era for Plymouth's Retail
The closure of this House of Fraser is part of a wider, distressing trend for the city centre. Oborn notes she has already witnessed the closure of Debenhams and BHS in Plymouth, leaving prominent buildings empty. The loss of this final major department store will create a significant void, resulting in job losses and diminishing the physical shopping experience that many, like Oborn, prefer over online alternatives.
"One of the things that always struck me was the immaculate window displays showcasing the latest trends," she says. "Now, those windows are covered with closing down signs." For a store that survived wartime bombing, its inability to withstand the modern economic pressures on retail signals a profound shift. The future of its prime city-centre building remains uncertain, leaving the community to mourn the end of a 146-year era.
