East Anglian department store Glasswells is celebrating its 80th anniversary with special events and exclusive birthday savings across every department to mark the milestone year.
Eighty years ago, in a modest shop on Brentgovel Street in Bury St Edmunds, Jerry Glasswell and his son Leslie began selling secondhand furniture with a simple promise – quality, care and an unwavering commitment to their customers.
Today, that small family venture has grown into East Anglia’s largest home department store that remains rooted in the same values that defined it in 1946, the retailer says.
Now led by Jerry’s grandson, MD Paul Glasswell, the business continues to champion craftsmanship, choice and that all important personal touch. As Paul puts it: “We’ve grown, but we’ve never lost sight of what is important. Our team goes above and beyond for our customers, that’s the heart of everything we do.”
From exhibiting at local trade fairs in the 1950s to opening high street stores across West Suffolk, Glasswells has evolved alongside the homes it helps furnish. Its branches in Haverhill and Saffron Walden still anchor the business to its town centre roots, while flagship home department stores in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich offer a "modern, immersive shopping experience".
"Walk through their expansive showrooms today and you’ll find everything under one roof, from sofas and dining ranges to flooring, lighting and bespoke soft furnishings," says the retailer. "With thousands of products available both in store and online, Glasswells is the go-to destination for homeowners looking for stylish pieces built to stand the test of time."
The Place to Eat restaurants in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich offer shoppers freshly prepared dishes using local produce and afternoon teas. Private dining rooms, seating up to 14, add a touch of exclusivity.
For those seeking expert guidance, Glasswells' professional interior design service offers a personalised, creative approach.
And Glasswells' story extends beyond living rooms. With decades of expertise in removals and self storage, the company has become a partner for families on the move, while its commercial division supplies contract flooring and specialist furniture to businesses across the region, along with third-party storage from its purpose-built warehouse off the A14.
"This blend of domestic and commercial success is part of what makes Glasswells unique – large enough to offer comprehensive and competitive services, yet family-run values ensure they care deeply about every detail," says the retailer.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Paul says: “We’re enormously proud of our heritage. When we started, we were the newcomers among well established stores, but we worked hard to earn our customers’ trust. We’re still a local, family-run business, and it’s thanks to our loyal staff and customers that we’ve reached this incredible milestone.”
