C M Pennington first opened his drapery business in 1853 in Hall Place. The business expanded to become a department store that older residents of Spalding still remember. The following are transcripts of various mentions of the business from local newspapers.

Lincolnshire Free Press – Tuesday 11 October 1853

DRAPERY AND MILLINERY ESTABLISHMENT, HALL-STREET, SPALDING.

C M. PENNINGTON begs to inform the inhabitants of Spading, and its vicinity, that he has taken the Shop and Premises in Hall-street, lately occupied by Mr. Barber, which he intends opening on TUESDAY, the 11th of October, when he will display an entirely new and choice selection of Cheap Goods, suitable for the present and approaching season. He has visited the London, Manchester, and other Markets, where he has purchased, for Cash, an assortment of the most Fashionable and Useful Goods, which he is determined to offer at such prices as cannot fail to command the notice of a discerning public; and hopes, by strict and unremitting attention to business, and by offering a good article at the smallest remunerating profit, to ensure a share of public patronage and support, which it shall ever be his study to merit. Remember ! an entirely New Stock of Goods, all of the newest style and design, and at the lowest possible prices, Spalding, October 5th, 1853.

Lincolnshire Free Press – Tuesday 9 May 1854

FASHIONABLE MILLINERY & DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT, Hall-Street, SPALDING.

C. M. PENNINGTON offers his sincere thanks to to his friends and the public generally for the favours so liberally bestowed upon him since his commencement, and begs to assure them it will always be his study, by unremitting attention, to ensure a continuance of those favors. He has again returned from the London Markets with a large stock of GOODS, in every variety, suitable for the present and approaching seasons, the style, quality, and prices of which cannot fail to give satisfaction.

C. M. P.’s SHOW-ROOMs were opened for inspection on Monday the 8th May and following days, and a call will be esteemed a favor. Spalding, May 3, 1854.

Lincolnshire Free Press – Monday 30 January 1939

Pennington’s Staff Dance.

Spalding Guardian – Friday 9 February 1951

Plans approved by the committee included……
Pennington & Sons Ltd, Hall Place Retail shop & restaurant.

Spalding Guardian – Friday 9 May 1952

Council Briefs
Plans passed included those from Messrs. Pennington & Son Ltd. (addition to new building in Hall Place).

Spalding Guardian – Friday 12 September 1952

Spalding Store Opened 

A large crowd of shoppers attended the opening on Wednesday of Messrs. Penningtons’ new store In Spalding when the white ribbon at the glass doors was cut by Mrs. W. A. Wheeler. Before the shop was opened the staff toasted the occasion in champagne and Miss Janet Naylor of the lingerie department. presented Mrs. Wheeler with a large bowl of flowers with the good wishes of the employees. The ground floor houses the lingerie. cosmetic, children’s and gentlemen’s departments. There is a Swedish, restaurant with a green and white colour scheme on the first floor which also caters for gowns, skirts and knit-wear.