Celebrating 80 Years of Glasswells
A legacy built on style, craftmanship and community
Eighty years ago, in a modest shop on Brentgovel Street in Bury St Edmunds, Jerry Glasswell and his son Leslie began selling second-hand furniture with a simple promise: quality, care, and an unwavering commitment to their customers. Today, that small family venture has grown into East Anglia’s largest home department store — and a name deeply woven into homes across the region.
What makes our story remarkable is not just its scale, but how firmly it remains rooted in the same values that defined it in 1946. Now led by Jerry’s grandson, Managing Director Paul Glasswell, the business continues to champion craftsmanship, choice, and that all-important personal touch.
As Paul explains:
“We’ve grown, but we’ve never lost sight of what is important. Our team goes above and beyond for our customers — that’s the heart of everything we do.”
From exhibiting at local trade fairs in the 1950s to opening high street stores across West Suffolk, Glasswells has evolved alongside the homes it helps furnish.
Its much-loved branches in Haverhill and Saffron Walden remain firmly rooted in town-centre life, while the flagship home department stores in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich offer a modern, immersive shopping experience.
Step inside today and you’ll find everything under one roof — from sofas and dining ranges to flooring, lighting, and bespoke soft furnishings. With thousands of products available in-store and online, Glasswells continues to be a go-to destination for homeowners looking for stylish, enduring pieces.
The first Glasswells store in Brentgovel Street, Bury St Edmunds 1946.
The Place to Eat, Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds
More than a store — a destination for design lovers
Glasswells is designed to be experienced, not just browsed.
Our Place to Eat restaurants in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich are destinations in their own right, serving freshly prepared dishes using local produce, generous afternoon teas, and welcoming table service that makes them a favourite with shoppers. Private dining rooms for up to 14 guests also offer a more intimate setting for meetings, celebrations, or relaxed catch-ups.
For those seeking expert guidance, our professional interior design service offers a tailored and creative approach. Whether it’s a full home transformation or simply refreshing a single room, the team brings practical expertise and inspiration to every project.
The Glasswells story extends well beyond interiors.
With decades of experience in removals and self storage, we have become a trusted partner for families on the move. Our commercial division also supplies contract flooring and specialist furniture to businesses across the region, alongside third-party storage solutions from its purpose-built warehouse just off the A14.
This blend of domestic and commercial expertise is part of what makes Glasswells unique: large enough to deliver scale and choice, yet still guided by family-run values that prioritise care in every detail.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Paul Glasswell says:
"We're enormously proud of our heritage. When we started, we were the newcomers among well-established stores, but we worked hard to earn our customers’ trust. We’re still a local, family-run business, and it’s thanks to our loyal staff and customers that we’ve reached this incredible milestone.”
Eighty years on, we remain true to its origins: a place that understands how we live, what makes a house feel like a home, and why quality and care never go out of style.
Glasswells team in Bury St Edmunds 2026
Glasswells team in Ipswich 2026
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Posted by Becca
15th April 2026
