History of Chopes
Going strong for over 100 years
History Index
- Fifty Years of Fashion 1898-1948
- Years of Change 1948-1973
- Decline and Rise 1973-1998
- Into the 21st Century 1998-
- A scrapbook archive of a century of advertisements
- A scrapbook archive of a century of photographs
From our scrapbooks kept from the early years we have compiled a history of Chopes.
The Story of Chopes of Bideford 1898-2003
In 1973 I [Roger Chope] undertook to update our shop history by adding an account of the twenty five years from 1948 to 1973 to the original 50th anniversary booklet which was produced by my father and uncle, Arthur and Norman Chope.
For the future, I firmly believe that human affairs move in circles and that there is a strong trend back towards shopping in smaller centres, offering personal service. To provide this at a high level is our aim.
If we are able to do this I have every confidence that Chopes will still be around, in some form or other, in the year 2098.
Chopes 2007
Having looked forward with optimism to a period of stability and development in the new millenium, a period of upheaval occurred with divorce resulting in the loss to the business of the prospective Managing Director, Simon Miller, and serious illness affecting Mrs J.E.Chope (Roger Chope’s wife) meant Roger Chope had less time available to run the shop.
A solution was found in the return from London of Oliver Chope, son of Roger and Janet, and his wife Fiona to take over the running of the business. Fiona had long experience with the booksellers Waterstones, and was thus ideally placed to take over the management of Walter Henry’s Bookshop (www.walterhenrys.co.uk ). Oliver had trained as a Marine Zoologist and worked in the Far East for some years prior to returning to the UK, and came cold into the business of retailing. After helping Oliver settle in for a few years, Roger Chope retired from the day to day running of the business in 2001.
As competitive pressures grew from out of town, supermarket and internet retailers, it was decided to alter and re-furbish the store to improve the layout and shopping environment, as well as preserve the fabric of the building. After much deliberation the work started in June 2006, and the revamped shop was finally finished in March 2007.
The business believes that people will continue to enjoy shopping in towns such as Bideford, where variety and interest prevail and traders are pleased to welcome and serve customers to the best of their abilities. Chopes is now a modern store, but still offers the same well sourced, good quality merchandise at reasonable prices, as well as friendly and efficient service.
- Fifty Years of Fashion 1898-1948
- Years of Change 1948-1973
- Decline and Rise 1973-1998
- Into the 21st Century 1998-
- A scrapbook archive of a century of advertisements
- A scrapbook archive of a century of photographs
Chopes of Bideford • 13-15 High St • Bideford • EX39 2AE • 01237 472091