Heelas of Reading

Humble beginnings

Founding Fathers The fascinating story behind Heelas of Reading begins way back in 1854. John Heelas, together with his sons John ...
Heelas continues to grow

Into the twentieth century
Mr HJ Ilsley and Heelas' Special Service department

Thank the vacuum for Special Services A unique department within Heelas was opened in 1925. Known as the Special Department, its ...
Wartime fortunes flounder

AH Bull At the outbreak of war in 1939, Heelas of Reading was doing rather well. A takeover bid by the ...
In the search of stability

1945-1969
The Growth of Heelas throughout the 70s and 80s

Vast expansion plan By the early 1970’s, Heelas had more than 1100 partners. With demand and sales growing and floor space ...
From Heelas to John Lewis Reading

The Oracle As an ongoing project to modernise Reading, a major new shopping centre was opened quite literally on Heelas back ...