Company
Goulds (Dorchester) Ltd
Company Profile
With over 100 years experience Goulds has developed into the area’s foremost and most modern Department Store Group that it is today.
All of the latest innovations in furnishing, gifts, fashion and gardening have been brought together to bring you the best in quality and value.
Goulds is a member of AIS, the Association of Independent Stores. This means Goulds is a member of all of the leading independent department stores in the country. Therefore Goulds can offer you better choice and better value by taking advantage of the vast buying power that AIS brings.
Company History
Goulds of Dorchester was established in April 1902 by the grandparents of the present Directors, Roger and Philip Gould. Harry and Florence Gould opened a drapers shop on the corner of High East Street and Icen way when in those days the shopping public had to contend with bicycles and horse drawn carriages.
Mrs Florence Gould was the driving force behind the company during the first fifty years and she, her husband and the family lived opposite the shop at number 42 High East Street. The business enjoyed a period of steady growth during which the founders’ sons, Ronald, Arthur and Ted, joined the company having completed their retail training.
Expansion into South Street followed with the opening of a ladies gown shop (known as 48b South Street) and the acquisition after the war, of the established furnishing business, Sercombe and Hayes. 1952 saw the opening of a specialist Childrenswear shop (48a South Street).
Ronald and Arthur Gould took over the directing of the company, and it was as a result of their enthusiasm and vision that the foundations were laid for today’s successful family business. Number 11 South Street, formerly owned by Messrs Symonds and Sons Solicitors, was purchased when it became available in the late 1950’s but it was not until 1961 that the High East Street premises were sold and the new store opened. It provided the people of Dorchester and the surrounding areas with a new purpose-built Department Store in the centre of what is now the main shopping street in Dorchester.
At the end of 1964 Ronald Gould died, leaving his brother Arthur to manage the company’s affairs with the support of John Keeping, the company’s accountant. It was at this time that the next generation of Goulds became interested and involved in the family’s retailing business. Richard Gould (son of Ronald) joined the business in 1966, followed by Stephen (son of Arthur) in 1968 and Roger (son of Ronald) in 1969.
Further expansion followed in 1967 with a ground floor extension to the Fashion Store along with a first floor showroom. The extra space created enabled the ladies and childrenswear departments to be moved from across the road. The properties vacated are now owned by Marks and Spencer Plc. At that time, with the exception of the furniture store, Goulds had all their departments operating under one roof. There were about 50 employees then, many of whom had been with the company for a considerable number of years.
To remain competitive with other retailing groups, Goulds joined an independent group of retailers in 1968. This buying group subsequently became known as AIS (Associated Independent Stores Ltd.) There are now over 250 members representing over 500 shops around the country who are members of AIS, the combined buying strength of which has enabled Goulds not only to sell competitively priced merchandise, but also introduce own-branded merchandise into many departments within the Dorchester stores.
Upon the death of Arthur Gould in 1971, John Keeping became Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was actively involved in advising and negotiating the company’s expansion programme during a period lasting 23 years. He is now a consultant for Goulds whilst Mr Christopher Gould took over the position of Chairman of the company.
In 1974 Goulds purchased the established business of E.Morris and Son at Fortuneswell, Portland. After the purchase of Houghton’s of Dorchester as a going concern in 1979, it was decided to concentrate efforts in Dorchester. This decision led to the closure of the Portland store in 1981. Goulds was then trading from three prime sites in Dorchester, in fashions, household goods, and furniture and carpets.
The carpet department was later expanded within the furniture store when Philip Gould (the third son of Ronald) joined the business in 1979. 1983 saw a new extension added to the Household Store. This was followed in 1987 by a first floor extension with escalator where toys were sold, and stock room, offices and staff room facilities on the second floor.
In order to provide display facilities for furniture and carpets it was decided to buy freehold premises at the southern end of South Street. The move there from the rented premises at 9 South Street took place in 1986. To concentrate all furnishing departments under one roof, carpets and furniture switched locations with toys in 1992. In the same year Menswear was introduced as a department within the Fashion Store.
However in 1995 toys moved back to the Household Store with soft furnishings moving to the first floor with carpets and beds. A Wimpy Restaurant franchise was opened by the company in April of the same year in the vacant premises at the end of South Street. 1996 saw the company achieve “Investors In people” status, a prestigious award of which the company is immensely proud.
In 1997 Goulds purchased the freehold of Humphries Garden Centre at Preston, Weymouth, covering a 7-acre site and employing around 25 staff. January 1998 saw the move of the general accounts office to a new location above the Wimpy Restaurant, which enabled us to increase the selling space on the first floor of the Fashion Store. August 2000 saw the early retirement of Richard Gould after 35 years service to the company. In September of the same year Anthony Gould, son of Roger, joined Goulds, the first member of the fourth generation to become involved with the company.
During December 2000 the Wimpy restaurant was sold leaving the company to concentrate on their core business of retailing, trading from the Garden Centre and Department Stores. In May 2001 an extension was added to the first floor of the Household store.
In 2002 the company celebrated its Centenary year. The longevity of this achievement for an independent family business has only been made possible through the years of dedication, loyalty and hard work from everyone who has been a part of the business and the great family tradition. Christopher Gould retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Michael Mitchell became our new Chairman, he had previously been the Chairman of Beales.
During 2003, Teresa Woolley joined the Company from Haskins Garden Centres as our new Finance Director.
The Garden Centre underwent a major re-development during 2004 to consolidate our market position and modernise our facilities, with the aim of maximising our future potential on this site.
Early 2005 has seen a major re-furbishment of the Household Store. Christopher Gould (Roger’s son) joined the company in January. He has taken on the role of Department Manager in our newly extended Linens department. During 2005 we were re awarded the Investors in People award in recognition of our commitment to developing our teams.
Still a family business Goulds is proud of its record of providing employment (one hundred and forty employees today) and first class shopping facilities for the people of Dorset. It is our hope that this established family tradition will continue to flourish.
Goulds first ever store opened its doors in 1902
