A FAMILY LEGACY
Our story starts with a family home, but who built it and why?
We did some digging and uncovered a retail legacy dating back to the 1800s.
Almost two hundred years later, things are a bit a different, but boy, has it been a journey.
The board of 'Spencer & Co' circa 1905. Pictured left to right J.W. Shaw, J.A. Gow, Eugene Oakshott, S. McLardy and John Oakshott Robinson.
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1863
John William Spencer together with Charles Durrant found ‘Spencer & Co’ – a retail business in South India, importing and
selling a wonderful
array of soaps,
perfumes,
food & wine
1897
Spencer & Co becomes a Public Limited Company, with 403 shareholders and a capital of Rs.25
1898
The London office opens at 24-26 Broad Street Avenue. Eugene retires to England to run the London HQ and oversee the buying for Madras.
1910
Hotel Spencer opens in Ameer Bagh, Madras, the first of an array of hotels owned and run by Spencer & Co. In 1913 Spencers acquire The Connemara, one of India’s oldest hotels and most iconic landmarks.
In 1937 it was rebuilt by Spencers, sporting the classic Art-Deco architecture of the era and earning it’s prestigious place amongst some of the world’s most luxurious hotels; hosting elegant balls and sourcing ice all the way from Canada to create the city’s finest cocktails! Cheers!
1926
J O Robinson’s eldest daughter Esther marries Stanley Wilson Edwards at St Lukes Church, Grayshott, England.
Edwards later becomes a Director & Chairman at Spencer & Co.
1956
The Edwards' youngest daughter Shirley leaves Grayshott and returns to England (via Sri Lanka, Hong Kong & Texas) with her two sons.
1989
After a period of difficulty and decline, Spencer & Co is sold to RPG Enterprises
1863
1897
1895
1898
1910
1920
1926
1930
1956
1989
1871
1871
Eugene Oakshott joins Spencers as a partner and takes over full control of the business in 1882. Oakshott’s leadership at the helm saw Spencers enjoy a period of rapid growth from a humble local shop, to Asia’s largest department store and a pioneer of the industry.
1895
On December 2nd, Spencer & Co open its flag ship store, 153 Mount Road in Madras. A landmark building of immense proportions, adorned with varnished teak beams, stained glass and ornate pillars. It was said to be regarded as “the finest shop in the East, if not the world”
1905
1905
John Oakshott (JO) Robinson, nephew of Eugene, becomes Director and later Chairman in 1913.
JO Robinson is the man to lead the company through a series of major acquisitions and expansion into a dominant presence continent wide; with over seventy branches across retail, hotels, catering, the motor industry, pharmaceuticals and manufacture.
1920
Toot-Toot! Spencers motor department opens for business.
1930
Esther and Stanley move into Grayshott House in Madras – built for them as a wedding gift in 3 acres of lush botanical gardens, this Art Deco mansion was to be home to their family and the centre of many extravagant parties.
Stanley was a racing man and popular extrovert. The entire racing crowd, would frequently gather on the lawns at Grayshott for the fabulous parties the Edwards’ regularly threw and the lavish Sunday morning `open’ house held exclusively for the highest of Madras society.
1957
1957
Edwards retires as Chairman and the position is taken over by Zal Rustom Irani, who led Spencers into a rapidly industrialising and independent India. JO Robinson resigns as Chief Executive in 1974 and Grayshott House is taken over by Spencer & Co. It is later sold to the tax department in 1995. In early 2000s a development company ‘Ceebros’ purchased the land and built a gated community called ‘Ceebros Grayshott’ which still stands today.
2018
2018
Shirley’s eldest grandson moves from England to Asia, where he and his wife co-found GRAYSHOTT COLLECTION – an independent brand of luxury home accessories inspired by an enchanting heritage.
