Doggarts

Doggarts was a department store chain based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in North East England. Founded in 1893 by John Thomas Doggart, the business expanded to operate multiple stores across the region, including locations in Darlington, Northallerton, and Middlesbrough.

Doggarts was known for offering a wide range of goods, including clothing, furniture, household items, and groceries, often catering to working-class families. The stores were a significant presence in their respective communities, providing employment and serving as a social hub for shoppers.

The company was a family-run business for much of its history. Despite adapting to changing retail landscapes throughout the 20th century, Doggarts eventually faced increased competition from national chain stores and out-of-town retail parks.

The last remaining Doggarts store closed its doors in the early 1990s, marking the end of the business. While the physical stores are now gone, the name "Doggarts" remains a recognizable part of local history in North East England, often recalled with a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of department store shopping. The buildings that once housed Doggarts stores have since been repurposed for other retail and commercial uses.