THE Building occupied by House of Fraser has a long history in the Market Place.

The present building dates from 1848, but buildings have been on the site since the 1300s or possibly earlier.

It has been a drapers/clothiers shop from about 1881, when the census of that year shows Frederick Boulton living at 124 Market Place with his wife, family, five assistants, an apprentice and servants.

Frederick Boulton's store is also listed in the 1906 Kelly's Directory as a drapers. There are plenty of residents who will remember Boulton's, which also sold furniture and ran regular fashion shows.

When Boulton's closed it was taken on as a clothes shop called Rackhams which was eventually sold to House of Fraser.