Australian bootmaker R.M.Williams has announced the opening of its newest UK store at 42 Milsom Street in Bath. The site, originally constructed in 1788, now serves as the brand’s latest retail location, marking a meeting point between two distinct histories from opposite sides of the globe. Located within Bath’s Shires Yard, the store occupies a building that has held more than two centuries of community, trade and craftsmanship.
Established in 1932 in South Australia, R.M.Williams is known for its commitment to longevity in design and construction. The company’s iconic one-piece leather boots remain handmade through more than 80 individual processes. This tradition, which began in the Australian bush and was refined across generations, now continues in a Georgian building with its own legacy of craftsmanship.
When the team first entered the former banking hall inside Shires Yard, they encountered preserved stonework and original patina that, according to the brand, evoked an immediate connection. “For a brand built on heritage and craftsmanship, the choice felt instinctive,” the company stated.
The store’s physical environment, characterised by stone walls, aged finishes and a wide ceiling, is designed to echo the atmosphere and character of the building’s past. The store does not seek to create a new identity but instead aims to reinforce and reveal the layers of history embedded within the structure. According to the brand, both the building and the products are “shaped by craft, grounded in natural materials, and built for longevity”.
For the interior, R.M.Williams’ in-house design team collaborated with Melbourne-based architecture firm ACRD. The design brief prioritised respect for the building’s original character. “Everything was shaped by what came before,” the company noted.
To further integrate with the Bath community, the brand has also launched a content series titled A Celebration of Bath’s Contemporary Makers. This initiative aims to spotlight local craftspeople and artisans who are contributing to the city’s ongoing legacy in various fields such as food, design, and material culture.
Featured in the series are Landrace, known for regenerative milling and baking; Society Café, described as specialty coffee pioneers; ceramic artist Olivia Webb; chef Ana Ortiz; and rural craft advocates Mel and Tom Calver, who also focus on land stewardship.
This local emphasis reflects a broader theme in the store’s launch, a merging of historical and contemporary practices in both place and product. By highlighting modern-day makers alongside establishing itself in a historically significant site, R.M.Williams positions the store as both a retail space and a cultural outpost.
