In 1903 Boots the Chemist commissioned their first purpose-built department store and later added a further structural bay and return frontage in 1921. Both phases were carried out in a matching, highly ornate style using glazed terracotta as a facing material above a superb delicate art nouveau style shop front.

In the early 1980s the store was split into three units and purchased for investment by the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (MNOPF). Twenty years later the opportunity arose to convert the majority of the building back to a single store. MNOPF also carried out some complex structural repair work and a comprehensive restoration of the terracotta facade.

CPMG obtained Listed Building Consent for alterations to this Grade II listed building to allow trading on Basement to Second Floors, leaving the Sub-Basement and Third Floor as ancillary areas.

Corrosion of the structural frame of the building, particularly to the curved southwest corner, had forced the terracotta dangerously out of line. This was carefully dismantled and the exposed curved beams strengthened in-situ with carbon fibre. The structural frame is prevented from further deterioration by the installation of a cathodic protection system. The building has now been fitted out by Zara, the well established Spanish fashion store, and re-opened in November 2001

Footnote:
The architect of the original building and the 1921 extension was Albert Nelson Bromley (1850-1934). The first submission of plans on 6 March 1903 for Shop and Store, High Street and Pelham Street, was made on behalf of Webster's Trustees. The plans for the Extension of Saleshop put forward on 10 June 1921 were on behalf of Boots Cash Chemists (Eastern) Ltd.

It is likely that Bromley's starry-eyed new pupil T Cecil Howitt first had his vision of designing a new Council House whilst being engaged in some modest way on this building, which of course until c1926 faced the rear of the rather shabby old Exchange
(Ken Brand).