Joseph Della Porta

Founder Joseph Della Porta came to England in 1847 from Italy, and by 1857 had opened a small store on Princess Street, Shrewsbury.[1] He expanded the business by purchasing other stores right up to The Square. By 1869 Joseph's son-in-law Augustine Alfred Rabnett[2] joined the business as a partner and the store traded as Joseph Della Porta Son & Rabnett. Rabnett later left the partnership to open his own store, and the business reverted to the name Joseph Della Porta & Son, with Joseph's son John Lewis Della Porta taking over the reins upon the death of Joseph in 1904.[3]

In 1929 John died, and his son Joseph William Della Porta took over, incorporating the business as a private limited company in 1930.[4] Joseph William was the last member of the Della Porta family to run the business but continued to grow the business by buying additional property fronting the High Street.[5]

In 1948 the business was purchased by the department store chain Hide & Co, who ran Della Portas as a subsidiary, with another Shrewsbury business purchased by Hide & Co - Edwin Powell & Son being run by Della Portas. The business continued to grow and by 1957 the store had over 40 departments.[6] In 1975 Hide & Co was purchased by House of Fraser who rebranded the store under the Rackhams name. The store today is now House of Fraser Shrewsbury.