Garratt, Richard – Grantham draper served on all the councils

Richard Garratt  (1866-1932)

BORN at Dogdyke, near Tattershall Bridge, Richard Garratt lived in Lincolnshire all of his life, but the most significant part was in Grantham.

He was apprenticed to a grocer and draper and later joined a drapery business in Alford.

He later had interests in draperies in Boston and Spalding  as well as a partnership with Grantham-based Tryner Lynn.He was also chairman of Richard Garratt and Son (drapers) Ltd, Davenport.

But his main business was Waterloo House, on Grantham’s High Street, which he took over in the 1890s.  This department store ran from the George Hotel to Guildhall Street, with its magnificent first floor bay windows.

He also owned the Beehive (later Hill & Co) in Market Place as well as being chairman of Grantham Motor Co and The Grantham Tractor and Car co.

A devout churchman, he was vicar’s warden at Barrowby Church, the village where he lived.

He was elected Grantham representative on Kesteven County Council and for four years from 1906 was a town councillor.

He was also president of the Grantham Traders Association and a Commissioner of Income Tax.