Benzie & Miller

Benzie & Miller was set up as a department store in 1920 by an amalgamation of business' in Fraserburgh, Scotland. In 1886 a 21-year-old William Benzie took over the management of a drapery business in Mid Street, Fraserburgh called The Colosseum. Within a year he had set up shop in Buckie with his own store, but was asked to take over the business in Fraserburgh from Mitchell & Co, and sold the Buckie business shortly afterwards. In 1896 William built a new shop on the opposite side of the street as the business was expanding, and in 1898 a powerplant was installed to provide the store with electric light – a first for Fraserburgh. The store continued to grow with several extensions being added to the rear of the building. James Miller was an apprentice cabinetmaker whom knew William Benzie. It was at William Benzie's recommendation that he joined a local cabinetmaking business, which he eventually took over after the death of the business owner. The business continued until the First World War when Miller sold the business as he was uncertain of his future. On returning from the war Miller rebuilt his business from scratch. ==The Department Store==

In 1920 William Benzie had planned to incorporate his business to expand it into a full line department store. After discussions with his friend, James Miller, Benzie & Miller Ltd was formed, which included taking over the Fraserburgh branch of Lerwick shoemakers, Messrs. Goodlad and Coutts, with its manager Mr Robert Henderson joining the new board. During the Second World War the Fraserburgh store was destroyed by a fire and took until the 1950s to be completely rebuilt. The business continued to be run independently, when in 1958 the current owner Baile Alexander Benzie agreed to sell the business to Hugh Fraser, the chairman of House of Fraser. Benzie left Fraserburgh and moved to Exmouth where he took over ownership of the Thomas Tucker department store until his death in 1991. ==References==