Ben Evans

For over forty years, 'Ben Evans' was a symbol of architectural magnificence, and was considered 'the finest store in Wales and the West of England'. However, this iconic building met a tragic end during the Three Nights' Blitz in February 1941, when enemy aircraft devastated over 41 acres of Swansea's town centre, leaving the once-grand emporium in ruins. The legacy of the Ben Evans store endures through a poignant collection of photographs, featuring striking images of the store's impressive Castle Bailey Street frontage alongside haunting scenes of its destruction. These visual records serve as a powerful reminder of its former splendour and the devastating impact of war on the town's landscape. Despite its significance, comprehensive information regarding both the Ben Evans store and its founder is scarce. This book presents an investigation into this iconic establishment, and the narrative of the store spans from Benjamin Evans' initial ownership in 1866 to the store's closure over 90 years later.