The Bentall Centre or Bentalls is one of the cornerstones of Kingston town's centre.

Almost every shop you could think of (bar perhaps IKEA but I quite enjoy getting the tram there anyway) is in the centre of Kingston.

But how did Kingston become such a retail hub for much of South West London and Surrey?

Well the town's status as a historic market town is definitely a major reason.

However you also have to look to Frank Bentall.

This is the man who founded the now iconic Bentall Department Store way back in 1867.

Originally the store was a drapery store selling fabrics and sewing materials.

This was a successful venture for retailer Frank who opened a number of other similar stores in the south of England.

Fast-forward to 1930 and then owner Leonard Bentall, employed the architects Sir Aston Webb and Son (by that time headed by Sir Aston's eldest son Maurice) to design a vast new department store on the original Kingston site, occupying more than a hectare at the corner of Clarence Street and Wood Street.

The building of the Bentall Centre itself meant the whole site was redeveloped between 1990 and 1992.

That gave us the Bentalls we know and love today.

We cannot wait for the centre to reopen once lockdown is eased.