Hill’s Stores Ltd., Ryde

Mr. Arthur HiIl was founder of the well-known firm of Hill’s Stores, High-Street, Ryde, which stood on the corner of Newport Street. He passed peacefully away in July 1925, at his residence in Argyll-Street, aged 84. The deceased gentleman who was known to a large circle of friends, established the business over 30 years before his death, then carried on by his sons Messrs. Bertram and Arthur Wellesley Hill, and he was prior to that, a draper in High-Street, Ventnor.  Mr. Hill was formerly a member of the old Local Board at Ventnor but took little part in public affairs.

In 1910, the Hill’s Stores Limited, establishment of tailors and drapers, was listed at 148, 149, 150, & 151 High Street, and 41 & 42 Newport Street. Telephone number 96.

The ever-expanding business, sold furniture and many other items to tempt the discerning shopper.

A rather amusing article that appeared in the IW County Press November 1984, called ‘Midnight Gardener does some Explaining’, read as follows:

“What will come up if you start digging in the flower tubs along Ryde High Street traffic quiet area?  In all probability, a policeman. ”

Mr. John Hill, director of Hill’s Stores, knows this from personal experience.  So that the town’s business association could avoid a £240 charge which Medina Council proposed if the local authority were to look after the shrub displays, Mr. Hill and his wife Jonyth, (a senior physiotherapist with the Royal IW County Hospital) regularly apply green fingers free of charge.

Mrs. Hill explained. “You can’t do it when there are people about so we tend to go street gardening very late at night or in the early hours. John does most of it, and while he was digging away up came this police car.  It took quite a bit of explaining.”

Mr. John Hill retired in 1989 after 37 years with the well-known family furnishing business.  He joined Hill’s in 1953 as the fourth generation of the family to do so. He was in the Army between 1946-49, serving with the Royal Army Service Corps. He remained as consultant and chairman of the company, and was also a director of Capitol Furniture Galleries in Newport.

The end of January 1992 saw the culmination of a three year process, which had successfully brought together two of the Island’s leading furnishing companies – Hills of Ryde and Hansfords of Ryde.  The merged business trading under the name Hansford & Hills, operated from extensive modern premises located at 150 High Street, Ryde.  Hansford & Hills founded in 1830 and 1890 respectively, could proudly claim over 260 years of quality service and products.  Company directors David Hansford and Peter Jones agreed that the combined resources gave them all greater purchasing power and expert staff.

More about Arthur Hill here
More about Arthur Wellesley Hill here

Sources: IW Observer, IW County Press, RSHG Archive
Image: Courtesy of Brian Young
Article: Ann Barrett