Through the decades at Roys - ‘The world’s largest village store’
George and Beryl doing the honours at the opening of the food hall at Roys of Wroxham in 1959 - Credit: Archant
Reporter SABRINA JOHNSON winds back the clock for a stroll through the decades at a famous Broads business.
Roys of Wroxham - 1st Hoveton Store @ turn of the century From Archive - Credit: Archant
Roys started life in 1895 when brothers Alfred and Arnold Roy opened their first general store in Coltishall.
The store was such a hit that within four years the brothers had opened a second and third store, the last of which became the company's Wroxham store, and the premises which launched the Roys of Wroxham name.
The perfect location for holiday makers on their way to Cromer, the Wroxham location also allowed the brothers to capitalise on the growing trend for boating on the Norfolk Broads.
In the interwar years the Roys business flourished, expanding into tailoring, boots and shoes, drapery, millinary, pharmacy, ironmongery, furniture, carpets and a motor garage.
Back left: Gary Taylor, Roys assistant manager; Hannah Worsley, Norwich Food bank acting project manager and Paul Carr Grocery, Roys department senior with Roys shop floor staff. - Credit: Archant
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The business even provided Wroxham's first streetlights and public toilets.
In 1930s the business relocated its headquarters to Wroxham, which around the same time earned the title of 'Capital of the Broads' which helped the store to win the title of the 'The World's Largest Village Store'.
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Roys of Wroxham, Red Roy outside the shop - 16/03/93 Picture by H NaylonFrom archive - Credit: Archant
PLACESROYS OF WROXHAM MAIN ENTRANCEDATED 29TH NOVEMBER 1982PHOTOGRAPH C0292 ( RJ )
Superstores. Pictured: Roys of Wroxham interior. Date: 1963. Picture: Supplied - Credit: Supplied
