Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson was a chain of department stores with its flagship store being situated at Oxford Circus, London. Founded in 1833 as a drapery, Robinson bought up nearby shops on Oxford Street to create a department store. The Topshop chain debuted in 1964 as a section in a Peter Robinson branch. The shop building in Oxford Circus was completed in 1912 and is Grade II listed.
Peter Robinson (1804–74), a Yorkshireman, opened a linen drapery shop at 103 Oxford Street in 1833. By 1840, he had opened a Court & General Mourning House store at 247-249 Regent Street,[1] which became known as "Black Peter Robinsons". They always had a brougham, harnessed with a coachman dressed in black and lady fitters sat inside, ready to hurry off to the home of a newly bereaved widow.[2] He increased his store space in Oxford Street by buying up nearby shops, so by 1850 he was able to create a department store which was known for selling fashionable ladies clothes and accessories.[3]
In 1865 he expanded further into Regent Street, buying Hodge and Lowman Linen drapers, which occupied 252-262 Regents Street