Millers Homewares stalwart steps down after nearly four decades

A Long-serving staff member of a popular homeware store in Frome is retiring after 37 years of working in the shop.

Andy Brittain will retire from Millers Homewares on 30th September, having joined the shop in 1989.

Over the years, he has seen the shop change from being an ironmonger to a mini department store selling homeware, kitchenware, bed linen and bathroom accessories.

He said, “Originally Richard Macy bought the shop, who I knew from working in a department store years before. When he bought Millers, it was an ironmonger; we kept in contact and he said he would get me down to help him sort it all out, which I did in 1989 and we did it for the next 30 years.”

Since 1989, Millers, which is based in the Westway Precinct, has changed from two floors to one and extended out the front and back.

Andy said, “It has changed in all sorts of ways really. Millers itself hasn’t always been in the same place. It started in 1908 in Keyford and then it moved to Bath Street. It was then the first shop to open in the precinct when it was built in 1973.”

Andy, who started working aged 16, has always worked in retail, including at Debenhams and Primark. When he retires this month, he will be leaving his managerial role as buyer, making decisions on what items to sell. He works alongside Rachel Clow, who took over the business in 2024.

He said, “I also try to make the place look as good as it can, attend trade shows and buy new stock. My main role is to make sure that we have things in stock that people want.”

After many years working in retail, Andy is looking forward to spending more time playing drums and listening to his vast record collection. He said, “I have got thousands of records and it takes a long time to listen to them all. I shall keep playing and listening to music until I go deaf or can’t stand up anymore.”