Creasey's in Guernsey can trace its history back to 1899 when
Benjamin Creasey (the Great Grandfather of the present directors)
established a drapery business in nos. 2&3 Mill St, not far
from today's "Bordage" store. In fact Benjamin had established his
own business in Jersey in 1879 having moved from his native
Lincolnshire some years before.
The business flourished and in 1911 Benjamin acquired a High St
property with the purchase of No9 High St. At about this time
Victor, his son, joined the business and a partnership was formed.
It was not long before No 11 was acquired and the development of
Creasey and Son was underway! Extra space on the first floor was
opened up soon after for yet further development as the business
expanded into millinery. By 1922 the business operating in Nos
15,17 &19 High St had been acquired and at that stage the
Company was incorporated as No 72 on the Guernsey Company register.
It is hard to imagine what trade was like in those days.
Many items of clothing were especially made for clients and the
business had a large number of seamstresses hand making all manner
of items for the local population. Nevertheless ready made garments
were beginning to appear and Victor and his father realised the
organisation needed a fundamental change to modernise the business.
Thus in 1933 all the departments in 15,17, & 19 High St were
closed down or squeezed into the original shop at 9/11 High St and
the "Main Store" was gutted and rebuilt with many walls removed and
a lift installed! After 8 months it was reopened "with every modern
idea in shopfitting"! This would still have been unrecognisable
today but glass cabinets and counters with goods on show had
replaced shelving and cupboards with all the goods wrapped in brown
paper.
The third generation, Ivan Creasey, joined the business in 1936
and whilst growth and further alterations continued this came to an
abrupt end in 1939 when war returned to Europe and Guernsey was
occupied by German forces. The business survived the occupation
years with a limited amount of stock and only a hand full of staff,
one of the properties was vacated for use by the Red Cross and
other parts damaged by RAF bombing of the harbour close by. Sadly
it was during this period that Benjamin died. After the war Ivan
rejoined the business after service with HM Forces and his brother,
Dennis, soon followed him after he was demobbed. Victor and his two
sons started the task of rebuilding the business on the foundations
laid before hostilities. Debts were repaid and new stock acquired,
gradually rationing was removed and life returned to normal. Once
again the growth pattern was re-established as further footage was
modernised, new shop fronts built and further premises
purchased.
During the late 60's and 70's the next generation came into the
business. Jane joined as a Fashion Buyer and Anthony in the fabrics
and linens. Peter, joined a little later taking over from Dennis on
the "office" side of the business. In 1989 Anthony was appointed
Managing Director and although Jane has retired as a buyer she
remains a Director, along with Peter who also acts as Company
Secretary.
Over the past few decades the business has continued to prosper
with new premises either purchased or leased for the growth of the
business. The Bordage premises, a shop in the Arcade, shops at St
Sampson's and an out of town warehouse have all been added.
In the mid 60's contact had been made with Marks and Spencer and
in 1967 a "St Michael" shop was opened within Creasey's. This side
of the business has also grown and now the Marks and Spencer
Franchise occupies two premises in the centre of St Peter Port and
two "Simply Food" stores outside the town.
A fifth generation family member, Jonathan Creasey, joined the
business in mid 2010 - with them, he now hopes to drive the
business forward, continuing to deliver an exciting offering for
the island's twenty first century customers.