50 years ago, Derby was where it all began for Primark in the UK

Except for that three-year hiatus when Primark was considered too down-market

Primark is celebrating a major milestone next week, marking 50 years since it first opened its doors in Great Britain. The store, which began its journey in Derby, will host a special celebration on Thursday, September 26, at its Cornmarket location.

Customers who attend on the day can expect to see in-store entertainment with goodie bags offered to the first 50 shoppers who walk through the doors.

Louise Phelps, area manager for Primark Derby, said: “We’re so proud to be celebrating such an important milestone for Primark, right here in Derby.

“It’s fantastic to have an opportunity to bring together our colleagues and customers – past and present – to share this milestone within the local community. We’re looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible in our Derby store on Thursday.”

The celebration comes as Primark announces that Derby will soon offer its Click & Collect service, allowing customers access to around 3,000 items, including clothing, homeware and online exclusives.

Primark was first founded in 1969 as Penneys, in Ireland, which is still its name over there today. It wasn’t for another four years, in 1973, that their first UK store was opened in Derby on Babington Lane.

However, there was an early spanner in the works as they were not allowed to operate under the name Penneys. J.C. Penney, an American retailer, already held the rights to the name in the UK.

When it first opened, the store was small, but it quickly gained popularity for offering fashionable clothing at affordable prices. Primark's arrival in Derby was significant for the city, which would soon become an important chapter in the company's success story.

For Derby, Primark’s arrival was a significant boost to the local economy. Clothing was now much more affordable to the wider British public.

In September 1974, Primark’s presence in Derby made waves when the store was officially launched with a grand opening. Hughie Green, the well-known presenter of Opportunity Knocks, was the celebrity who cut the ribbon. The event was a huge success, drawing crowds of local shoppers eager to take advantage of the opening offers

Primark quickly became a go-to store for budget-conscious shoppers in Derby throughout the 1970s. The store became synonymous with excellent value for money, just as it still is in the 21st century. Local adverts boasted of huge sales, including a memorable New Year’s sale in 1978, where jumpers were sold for just a few pounds and socks were available for mere pennies. These low prices made the store a hit with locals and established it as a vital part of Derby’s shopping scene.

After ten successful years on Babington Lane, Primark moved to a more prominent location in the Eagle Centre in 1984. This move reflected the growing popularity of the brand, as the Eagle Centre offered more space and a more central shopping location.

Relocating to the Eagle Centre further cemented the brand’s legacy in the city. Alongside other prominent stores like Brentford Nylons, Currys and Thrifty, Primark was now a major player in Derby’s retail landscape. Its new location made it easily accessible to shoppers and helped solidify the brand’s image as a leader in the high street fashion market.

In 2005, significant changes at the Eagle Centre led to a temporary halt in Primark’s Derby operations. The owners of the shopping centre were undergoing expansion plans, which included the development of a Westfield mall. Shoppers told the Derby Telegraph that Primark’s existing location was “seen as too downmarket” for the planned luxury image of the new centre, and the store was asked to leave. Primark declined to relocate to alternative premises, resulting in a three-year absence from Derby’s high street.

During this time, many local shoppers voiced their dismay, especially those who relied on Primark for affordable clothing. Letters to the Telegraph reflected the frustration of many, including a single mother who shared how crucial Primark had been in keeping her children in fashion at an affordable price.

After a three-year hiatus, Primark made a triumphant return to Derby in 2008. The new location on Corn Market, in the old Marks & Spencer site, was greeted with huge excitement. On the day of its reopening, more than 500 people queued up outside the store, eager to browse the racks once again. One woman said: “If you ask anybody who knows me, I’ve been on countdown to today’s opening.“ The Corn Market location has remained the store's home to this day.

While Derby holds a special place in Primark’s history as its first UK store, the brand has undergone massive expansion. One of its most impressive ventures in the last five years was the opening of its Birmingham store in 2019.

Spanning five floors and 160,000 square feet, the Birmingham location is the world’s largest Primark, offering a unique shopping experience complete with a beauty studio, barber services and even a Primark Café with Disney. While Derby’s store isn’t quite on that scale, it is still a cherished location for shoppers.

As part of Primark’s ongoing efforts to modernise and meet the needs of today’s shoppers, the Derby store will be one of the next 54 stores to offer a Click & Collect service by the end of 2024. Customers will have access to thousands of items online, from clothing to selected homeware products and online exclusives. The service marks a significant step forward for the retailer, demonstrating an aim to blend the convenience of online shopping with the in-store experience.

From its humble beginnings in Derby, Primark has grown into a retail giant with global influence. Yet, for many Derby natives, its place on the high street serves as a reminder of where it all began.