What was the name of the department store that was the setting for the British sitcom "Are You Being Served"?

The 1972 - 1985 British television sitcom (Are You Being Served?) is about Grace Brothers Department Store and its employees. It is concerned about operations within this department store, which is found in London, England. The store is owned and kept running by Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold. He is the executive officer in charge; it means that he can enjoy having an endless parade of pretty ladies working for him.

Another character who functions in the store is Captain Stephen Peacock. He is the dignified floor walker who has daily charge over two small sales teams. Next, there is the bossy, implicitly man-hungry widow, Mrs. Betty Slocombe. She supervises the attractive Miss Shirley Brahms (she has a terribly common Cockney accent). Shirley on commission has first choice of customers when it comes to the sale of women's clothes and accessories. The star on the gentleman's side of sales is Mr. Wilberforce Clayborne Humpries. He is an implied closet true gay gentleman and his successive number of superiors are all obviously taken with his skills and abilities.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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65 Comments

Tim Rogers

As has been said already, Mr Rumbold was not the owner, nor was it he who had the endless supply of pretty girls, that was Young Mr Grace & his "nurses". Also, Mrs Slocombe had first choice of female customers, not Miss Brahms. And it's Mr Humphries. Far too many mistakes, must do better!

Charles Fish

"Mrs. Slocum, are you free?" "Yes, Captain Peacock."

ann bell

I loved that show...was the one that really got me started on British comedies!

Colin Payne

There is (or was) an actual Grace Brothers department store in Sydney, Australia. And his name is Humphries, not Humpries.

Ian Swindale

Rumbold was not the owner of the store - that was Mr Grace

Madelyn Kuehl

This show is hilarious

Anthony Russell

Rumbold was the deoartment manager, the owner was the Young Mr Grace . It was said that it was based on a small department store in Croydon, South London, called Grants, long since closed.

Jacqui Wilson

Very poor write-up. Far too many inaccuracies.

Cheryl Perkins

I have to say that no other country can beat the British for comedy. They make the best TV content of any country in the world. Best drama, comedy, reality and supreme BBC news.

Gary Chadwick

Typical, someone who writes a question about something they know little of. As mentioned, to many mistakes.

Player

Tim Rogers, it's taken from Wikipedia

docluci

Grace Bros.was store model for this sitcom

Michael Johnston

You are all doing very well!

Val Wilkinson

Wendy Richards always seemed young, sad she died early. Loved her spoken parts in the song "Come Outside"

Val Wilkinson

Anthony Russell, I loved our traditional department stores- Cuffs of Woolwich, Chiesemans in Lewisham and Tunbridge wells (became House of Fraser) Jenners of Edinburgh, Army and Navy ... even the C-op had wonderful department stores!

Val Wilkinson

Sherry Revill, I am sorry that you're not British - even though we're in a political mess at present I am still proud to be British - we have a fascinating history over 000s of years, we have a very beautiful country, we have a great sense of humour and (most of us) are very principled. We also invent great sports for other countries to succeed in or to use as a basis for others. Our literature is amazing. Oh I could go on. I'm from a very working class background - so its a third party apology from me for our posh idiots and their former empire building - treating us peasants of any race with contempt, these days dragging us into Brexit (with political and economic chaos) for their future tax advantage. Meantime, try our exported TV - comedy is fun and dramas are sensational. Thanks!