Voisins Department Store History

1837 Francis Voisin founded Voisin & Company as a haberdashery shop on 26 King Street, 15th April 1837 Francis Voisin, Founder and proprietor, 1837-1878 >>

1838 Opened the Men's outfitters department.

1840 28 King Street was purchased.

1857 Voisin & Company purchased 24 King Street.

1860 Purchased 30 King Street.

1868 Furniture department opened at 11,13,15,17,19 and 21 New Street. Francis Voisin travelled extensively to buy goods for the shop and was the most travelled Jersey man of his time (Francis Voisin died in 1894).

1878 Voisin & Co converted into a partnership with Francis Bishop Voisin and Emile Auguste Voisin. Francis Bishop Voisin, Proprietor 1878-1915 >>

1888 Francis Bishop Voisin bought his brother's share of the business when he retired through ill health.

This was an important event, because significant capital was taken out of the business and some properties were released from the Company. No new properties were purchased during this period (Francis Bishop Voisin died in 1915).

1888 Francis Bishop Voisin bought his brother's share of the business when he retired through ill health.
This was an important event, because significant capital was taken out of the business and some properties were released from the Company. No new properties were purchased during this period (Francis Bishop Voisin died in 1915).

1915 Francis Hazzard Voisin (ADC to King George V) took over in 1915. He introduced motorised delivery vehicles, as everything was delivered in those days. Francis Hazzard Voisin, Proprietor 1915-1933 >>

1918 Gaudins Bakery (32 King Street) was purchased.

1933 King Street frontage was rebuilt.

Francis Hazzard Voisin died and Gerald Hazzard Voisin took over. At around this time, buyers were introduced because the proprietor was too busy managing the business to travel to buy goods.

1938 Gerald Hazzard Voisin died in a plane crash. His brother, Francis Ogier Voisin, left the army to run the business.
Gerald Francis Voisin, who was below the age of majority, inherited Voisin and Company.

This was an important event for two reasons. First, because Gerald Hazzard Voisin appeared to have a natural flair for the business, whilst Francis Ogier Voisin did not and would have preferred to stay in the army. Second, war broke out less than a year later; the Occupation was a very turbulent time for Voisin & Co, causing considerable concern for future.

1940 Whilst Jersey was occupied, Voisin & Co only traded on Saturdays, selling second-hand goods.

1946 Gerald Francis Voisin returned to run the business. After 8 years of turmoil, there was much to do. Trade picked up reasonably quickly, but the fabric of the store was in a state of disrepair. The sales area was completely refurbished in stages (when it was affordable) and there appeared to have been some disagreement between Francis Ogier Voisin and Gerald Francis Voisin.

1959 Premises at the back of 24 King Street were acquired.1966
Voisin & Co's warehouse was built at Rue des Pres trading estate.

1971 A second store was opened in St Malo, France.

1972 Buildings at the back of King Street were rebuilt to provide more space for the China and Glass department, and to improve staff facilities and office space.

1992 Francis Gerald Voisin purchased the business of Voisin & Company from Gerald Francis Voisin. Francis Gerald Voisin, Proprietor 1992-present >>

1996 The shop front was modernised. St Malo branch closed.

1998/9 Gaudins Bakery was sold.

2000 Voisin & Company's name changed to Voisins Department Store.

2004 42 Don St, St Helier was purchased for Voisins at Home.
8 Don St developed into the biggest mens shopping concept in the Channel Islands offering casual wear, tailoring, Gelaires Barbers and a new Crush Bar.

2005 Voisins introduces new electrical concession - Future Vision.

2007 A major refurbishment of the Ground Floor took place. The main staircase was relocated and allowed us to create the Island's leading Beauty Hall and Accessories Department.