Allders

Allders is an independent department store in Croydon, established by Joshua Allder in 1862. It is the fourth-largest department store in the United Kingdom. The Croydon store was the flagship of a large chain of department stores in the UK. The chain went into administration during 2005 and was subsequently broken up and sold, the Croydon store being purchased by Harold Tillman, owner of the Jaeger clothing company. Allders was opened in 1862 at 102 and 103 North End as a 'linen draper and silk mercer' by Joshua Allder (1838–1904) from Walworth, who had served his apprenticeship in Croydon. His shop was diverse, with special offers on silk dresses and also a morning dress section, and departments offering lower-cost items such as...