Havens, Westcliff-on-Sea

Havens department store is a Grade II listed building based in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. Until its closure in 2017, Havens was the only remaining independent department store based in the borough of Southend-on-Sea after the closure of Keddies.

Havens (left) in 2015

History

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Havens was opened in 1901 by Rawdon Havens as a specialist retailers of China Tableware and Crystal Glass in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff.[1][2]

The current store was opened in 1935 and was listed as Grade II in 2016.[3]

In May 2017, Nigel Haven announced that the store would be closing and moving to an online retailer only.[4] The building was rented to Age Concern as a community hub.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "The high street needs to adapt and evolve": Retailer Q&A with Havens department store - Soults Retail View p.22 Apr 2013". 22 April 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  2. ^ "About Havens of Westcliff". Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Future of one of Essex's oldest department stores safeguarded as Havens, in Westcliff, is listed - Evening Echo p.10 Aug 2016". Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  4. ^ "End of an era as Havens store prepares to close after almost 100 years on the high street - Evening Echo p.12 May 2017". Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  5. ^ Thomas, Daniel (30 April 2019). "Your Debenhams is closing: What next?". Retrieved 2 May 2019.

51°32′25″N 0°41′43″E / 51.5403°N 0.6952°E / 51.5403; 0.6952