The world's largest village store: A look at the history of Roys

Based in Hoveton, Roys of Wroxham was started by Arnold and Alfred Roy in 1895 and the family business now has a multitude of stores in the village and beyond.

Peter Roy opening Roys Toys in Wroxham in 2000. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

There are currently 12 Roys stores, five of which are in Hoveton and Wroxham, with seven more across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Roys owns the garden centre Highway Garden and Leisure in Hoveton, where it also runs a toy shop and builder's merchant.

Roys of Wroxham in 1996. Picture: Mike Page (Image: Mike Page)

The department store has seen a lot in more than 100 years of business, from a 1995 fire in its main Hoveton store, which cost the firm over £5m, to earning the accolade of 'World's Largest Village Store' in 1930.

Roys of Wroxham fire in 1995, thought to have cost the store £5m. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Sales assistants Liz Cadman and Diane Powell preparing to move the toy department from the mains tore to its new home in the former retail warehouse. (Image: Archant)

Store manager Chris Green with local products in Roys food hall at the Hoveton store, pictured in 2007. (Image: Archant © 2007)

Roys of Wroxham in 1981. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Roys of Wroxham after the fire in 1995, thought to have cost the store £5 million. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Roys of Wroxham 29/11/85. (Image: Archant)

Roys of Wroxham pictured in 2011. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2011)

Christmas shopping at Roys of Wroxham, November 29, 1983. (Image: Archant Library)

Wroxham town centre, Roys. 11.08.1980. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)