History

Walter James Daniel, the founder of W.J. Daniel & Co. Ltd rented his first shop 96 Uxbridge Road Ealing in 1901 at a cost of £50.00 a year selling drapery and fashions, he lived with his family above the shop.

Unfortunately business was very slow so Walter was unable to pay the rent, he went to the landlord to give the keys back, the landlord refused to take the keys and told him to persevere, he did, they worked very hard keeping the shop open from early morning until 9 at night.

Walter and his wife had four children Florence, Charles, Mabel, and Douglas, all the family worked in the shop.

Charles left school at 15 and had many happy years of apprenticeships with Derry and Toms, Bearmans, Selbys and Gorringes before at his father’s request returning to the family business. In 1918 Charles purchased a shop in Windsor for his sister Mabel to run, he paid £150.00 a year rent for 120 Peascod Street, he also bought a shop for his brother Douglas to run in Newbury.

Charles married Irene; they had two sons Michael and Peter.

Over the years more shops were acquired freehold by the family, some were sold to enlarge the existing Ealing and Windsor stores.

Today Daniel is trading from a large department store in Windsor and two smaller stores in Ealing and Chiswick. With the passage of time the front façade of the Daniel store in Windsor was in need of modernisation and redevelopment. To facilitate this and still maintain an entrance on Peascod Street the works were planned in two phases.

Future

Phase 1 of our building project was completed in 2010 and is now successfully trading on 2 floors.   This stylish building houses Fashion, Accessories, Millinery, beauty products and Hosiery on the ground floor.  The first floor has La Suquet, a wonderful coffee shop next to our Nursery department and One Small Step.   This building is also our main entrance off Peascod Street and allows access to all departments via the rear of the store.

Phase 2 of our project is also nearing completion and our target is to open in September 2012.  This huge investment in the centre of Windsor is the most exciting in our 100 years of trading and emphasises our commitment to this town. The state of the art building will provide our customers with exciting new departments and a wonderful environment in which to shop.   We look forward to welcoming all our customers.