Catalogue description J McCLEAN, DRAPER

McLean, John, fl 1908, draper of Portsmouth

• Portsmouth, Hampshire

John McClean first appears in Kelly's Directories as a draper at 33 Lion Terrace, Portsmouth in 1908 having taken over the business of Alfred Adams at that address. In 1909 when another draper, Adam Prentice, gave up business McClean took over Prentice's credit drapery business while the direct shop sales at 351 Commercial Road, Portsmouth were taken over by Alexander Stent. Adam Prentice was at 21 Lion Terrace in 1896 but had moved to 7 Queen Street by 1898 before finally moving to 351 Commercial Road in 1908. Prentice's credit sales, judging by these records seem to have started in Fareham c1895 and to have spread to Titchfield, Gosport, Chichester and Emsworth by 1900. It was not until McClean took over the credit sales business that he extended such sales to people living in Portsmouth. This side of the business spread very considerably after 1920 and by 1930 even extended to Bognor and the Isle of Wight but little business was ever done over Portsdown Hill. McClean moved from 33 Lion Terrace to 235 Arundel Street in 1914. He moved again in 1920 to 124 Arundel Street and took over 126 Arundel Street when Harry Loxley, also a draper, gave up business in 1935. The shop remained at this address until its closure and subsequent demolition in 1972. They sold mens' and ladies' clothes, shoes and household linen but the surviving records contain no evidence as to whom the collectors were.