| J. F. Dixon Limited | |
| Type: | Private company |
| Foundation: | 1913 |
| Defunct: | 1973 |
| Location: | Southend-on-Sea |
| Industry: | Retail |
| Key People: | J. F. Dixon |
| Fate: | Liquidation |
| Genre: | Department store |
Dixons[1] [2] was an independent department store that opened its doors in Southend, England, during 1913 and closed for good 60 years later in 1973.
J. F. Dixon, a draper from Upper Norwood, South London opened his own drapery store in 1913.[3] The store was located on the corner of London Road, Southend-on-Sea on what was then called The Broadway, now known as the High Street with its main competitors being Keddies, Brightwells and Thomas Brothers.[4] Dixon was the son of a draper, John Dixon who ran his own drapery business in Gainsborough and Stoke Newington. J.F Dixon would go onto buy his father's business in Gainsborough in 1932.[2] The Southend store was re-developed under the design of architect Mr Grover, who had previously designed the Southend stores of Garons and Ravens,[5] with the work being completed by 1938.[6] This included building on the site of the former Theatre Deluxe[3] and had over 40,000 square feet in total. The store was modernised with the installation of escalators at the cost of £25,000 in 1956.[7] In 1963 the business joined the national five day opening movement, closing on Wednesdays and opening until 8 p.m. on Fridays.[8] During the 60s, Dixons was innovative with its advertising having mannequins on display in glass boxes in Southend High Street,[9] while in 1968 the store opened a new department aimed at younger females called Tomorrow's Girl on the first floor.[10] The Gainsborough and Southend businesses were closed voluntary by John F. Dixon in 1972 and 1973.[11] [12] [13] [14] Dixon himself would lead the fundraising for the Palace Theatre trust in 1980, and the new studio was named Dixon Studio after him.[15]
The store's buildings were purchased by the Hammerson group in 1974 and split into three retail units.[16] It is today occupied by WHSmith, Burger King, Toy n Tuck (Queens Road) and the Lawrence Matthews Art Shop (Queens Road). J F Dixons was not related to Dixons Retail (now Dixons Carphone Warehouse), also started in Southend.