Beales has a long and illustrious history and was one of the founding names of the department store movement. The doors opened in Bournemouth in 1881 and our flagship store still occupies the original site. The founder John Elmes was also Mayor of the town and this is no doubt why Beales has always made a significant contribution to community life. A proud tradition which continues today in all the towns where the Beales Family of Stores are a landmark presence.

In the late 60s, sensing the consumer boom, Beales began a programme of expansion starting in neighbouring Poole and opening or acquiring stores in Winchester, Worthing and Horsham.