The Bentalls...pioneers of Kingston shopping.

In 1867, Frank Bentall took on a struggling little drapery shop in Clarence Street. Within a year he had increased weekly takings almost 200% and began a gradual expansion that, under the leadership of his son, Leonard, made Bentalls the largest privately-owned store in Europe until it went public in 1946.

Leonard, who pioneered car parking, restaurants, escalators and other previously unknown department store facilities, is often referred to as "the man who made Kingston". He died in 1942 and his life-sized bronze likeness (scultped by Sir William Reid ****, stand near one of the store's entrances as a memorial to his enterprise.

His two sons, Gerald and Rowan, and later his grandson, Edward, took the helm until 2001, when the Kingston store and its 5 branches were acquired by Fenwicks.

Source: The Kingston Book (2006) by June Sampson