Boyes in York celebrates their 30th Anniversary

Tuesday 16th May marks the 30th Anniversary of the Boyes Store in York on Goodramgate.

Boyes in York on Goodramgate was opened by Mrs. Kate Boyes and Mr. Tim Boyes on May 15th 1987 and has been a part of the York community ever since. However, Boyes has been a part of York since the early 20th Century with their first store dating back to 1906.

We take a look back at the long and successful history to celebrate Boyes 30th Anniversary of how it got where it is today.

The History of Boyes in York

Boyes was originally introduced to York in 1906 on Bridge Street, in a former paint warehouse.

On December 8th 1910 a spectacular blaze began, thought to have began in the toy department of Boyes when Christmas decorations came into contact with gas lamps. It took two steam fire engines from the Police and firemen from Rowntrees' Works at Haxby six hours to help put a stop to the fire.

Fortunately, no one was hurt from the fire and all the staff managed to safely get out of the collapsing building. Boyes temporarily relocated to Clifford Street after the fire whilst plans were made to rebuild the Boyes store, with damage estimated at £20,000.

The rebuilding of the new Boyes store was delayed even more when there was a tragic accident. In February 1912 one workman was killed, and seven other workmen were injured  when a clock tower that was being built on top of the store collapsed and fell through the basement.

The new rebuilt Boyes store eventually opened without a clock tower in December 1912. Boyes continued to serve the York community for a number of years and even extended the building in 1966 by comprising the basement car park with two sales floors above and an entrance from North Street.

In 1978 the directors at Boyes had started making plans to modernise the York store by removing the staircase and lift to open up the interior of the building.

However, these proposals were not viable, and on the 26th February 1983 the York Store closed it doors after more than 75 years of trading.

Boyes always hoped to return to the beautiful City of York again one day, and thanks to Mrs. Kate Boyes and Mr. Timothy Boyes the store returned on Goodramgate and has been successfully trading to York residents ever since.