About Us

In 1882, at the age of 14, a local farmers son, William Barker, started his apprenticeship with Oxendales, a small draper's shop in Northallerton. As William Barker's career progressed, the shop became known as Oxendale and Barker, and eventually Barkers as it is today; comprising the High Street Department Store, and more recently our edge of town Home Furnishing Store. Between the two stores employing around 250 people.

The 40.000 sq.ft. Home Furnishing Store, which is one of the largest in the North of England, was purpose built on the edge of town in 1994. It houses a tastefully displayed choice of high quality upholstery, cabinet furniture, beds, bed linen, flooring, lighting, soft furnishings, pictures and mirrors.
The ground floor has recently under gone a dramatic and extremely pleasing refurbishment.
Along with dedicated studio areas for the ever-popular famous brands we have introduced some excellent new brands & ranges to appeal to customers old and new. Plans are being made to get our first floor looking just as impressive and appealing.
Due to the popularity of the delicious home cooked meals and finest coffees the Tree View cafe has increased it's seating capacity, and we have plans in the pipe-line to extend further with an outdoor seating area. By summer 2012 you will be able to relax in the sun with a refreshing cup of tea and one of our famous scones!
We now also offer free wi-fi, the store has its own free car park, and is completely accessible for the disabled.

Our Department Store, situated in the centre of the High Street, offers an incredible range of merchandise, including some of the worlds leading brands of fashion, lingerie, menswear, shoes, handbags, cosmetics, cards, luggage, gifts and homewares. On the first floor is our 200 seat restaurant with views over the Applegarth Park and an excellent menu specialising in home cooking, we also have the Cafe Arcade if you prefer a lighter bite mid-shop.
Keep an eye on the sky too, a link above the arcade will soon be in place. We are building a link between the cafe and the store. This will enable our valued customers to enjoy a freshly brewed coffee while sitting high above the hustle & bustle of the arcade and high street- this is going to be a very exciting addition not only to Barkers but also the aesthetics of the High Street as a whole!
In store exciting changes are currently taking place, the cosmetics department is having it's very own face lift and doubling in size, allowing us to introduce some very famous beauty brands, including as Benefit.
The fashion departments are constantly adding new brands, to keep our customers interested and up to date with current trends.

We have been regular Yorkshire in Bloom prize winners for the floral displays on the store front and in Barkers Arcade, an arcade of 12 speciality shops running the length of the store from the High Street to the 250 space car park at the rear.

We recognise that today's world is about convenience and choice and it is with these values in mind that we have unveiled our new website offering a wide selection of our leading products and brands online so you can shop at Barkers night or day, seven days a week at your leisure from the comfort of your own home.

Barkers is still a privately owned and run family business and the entire team, many of whom have been with us for most of their working lives, are dedicated to offering quality products, good value and the friendly service that is expected from a family company.

Charles Barker
(Managing Director)