User:Bishopscoleraine

A very industrious lady, Mrs E Bishop, founded Bishops of Coleraine in 1840. The business passed to her son, Mr James Bishop, who rebuilt the premises in 1905.

He continued to trade successfully until his death in 1940 when the business was taken over by Mr. Charles Hamilton. He extended the business in the 1950’s by taking over tea-rooms run by Mrs McKeary, next door, and later, during the early Seventies, he extended into the Crow’s Nest pub on the corner of Bridge Street and the Diamond. In the 1980’s numbers 2,4,6 and 8 Bridge Street were included all under the same roof.

When Mr Charles Hamilton took over the business, he decided to retain the name of Bishops and today the shop is still in the Hamilton family, with Mr and Mrs Tom Hamilton and Mr Nigel Hamilton all directors.

www.bishops-footwear.com