Charles Jenner


? - 1893

Co-founder of Jenner's department store in Edinburgh. Jenner started a drapery business in 1838 with partner Charles Kennington, after the pair had been sacked from W&R Spence, another drapery store, after they had skipped work to attend the races at Musselburgh. Jenner took full control of the business when Kennington retired in 1861. Kennington and Jenner aimed to offer the people of Edinburgh fine material and a level of quality beyond their expectations of the time.

Jenner retired in 1881 and having no family left the store to his junior partner. Jenner continued to take an interest in the store in his retirement and was devastated when it burned to the ground in 1892. Although he died before a new store could be built, he left instructions and money for its lavish decoration.


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