No matter if you’re a Lord or Lady shopping for luxury items or just popping in for a new hinge for your kitchen cupboard, that is what makes Bennetts very unique. It has been said many times over the years that at Bennetts you can shop for the latest designer handbag bag and take lunch in the exquisite tea rooms or just pop in for a new broom handle!

Over the years, we have seen our fair share of celebrities, including sporting stars and big stars of stage and screen. In the Bennetts tradition, our sales staff are very discreet, not making a fuss or raising attention.
Celebrities have visited in the past for public appearances to promote a particular opening or product, and our archives are full of pictures documenting these.
One of these was a huge TV star, attracting weekly tv audiences of 25 million as well as performing at the London Palladium on a regular basis. Although only people of a certain age would remember him, we thought he was worth a mention. Above, is Larry Grayson visiting Bennetts in the 1980s, pictured in the gardening department. He found great success on the well known TV quiz show, The Generation Game replacing the late Bruce Forsyth in 1978 and running through to 1982 when he decided to quit while the show was at the peak of its success.

While we are very much in the 1980s, another memorable visit in March 1984 was from Ruth Madoc. Ruth is probably best known for playing Gladys Pugh in the 80’s sitcom Hi-De-Hi. Set in the 1960s in a fictional holiday camp, this Bafta award-winning series attracted weekly audiences of 20 million and made stars out of its new cast. The show was so successful that the BBC ran two seasons back to back the only time they have ever done so.

Ruth’s visit was to mark the extension to the store along with its 250th Anniversary and attracted over 1000 people, with the press quoting it as “The most exciting shop in Derby”

Be sure to check out our social media channels as we share more of these fascinating stories of people who have visited our store over the years.