Marshall & Snelgrove were high-class garment and textile retailers in England for over a hundred years. John Snelgrove set up his first business in 1838 and in 1848 he entered a partnership with James Marshall who had drapery businesses in Yorkshire and in London (Vere Street).

The company bought a plot at 334–348 Oxford Street, London  in 1851 and quickly became known as one of the premier department stores. The Vere Street site, previously belonging to Marshall, was also retained.

Marshall and Snelgrove were very much an exclusive store with an on-site couturier workroom in addition to their ready-to-wear lines. Apprenticeships could only be obtained by lodging a deposit of 60 guineas.

James C. Marshall, the founder's sons, later expanded the company by opening branches throughout the Midlands and the North of England, including Birmingham, Manchester, Scarborough, Harrogate, Southport, Sheffield, Leicester, Leeds, York and Bradford.

Marshall and Snelgrove were badly hit by the First World War and had to be financed through emergency measures from 1916. In 1919 the company merged with Debenham and Freebody, who later became Debenhams.

Some branches, including Birmingham, were closed in the 60s and 70s. The remaining stores became Debenhams in 1973. The Birmingham store became a hotel.

Did you work at Marshall and Snelgrove or shop there? Do you have any memories of what was Birmingham's most exclusive store? Contact us please. bihsenquiries@gmail.com