Sunderland Shops - Hills & Co Sunderland Time for a Good Book

A hand drawn digital artwork based on an original 1920's Sunderland Echo advert. Printed on high quality 230gsm matt archival paper.

Hills & Co, also known as Hills Bookshop, was one of Sunderland’s oldest and most respected retail establishments. It was founded by William Henry Hills on Christmas Eve, 1852, at 186 High Street, selling books, stationery, maps, and gifts. As Sunderland’s commercial centre shifted westward, Hills followed suit, relocating to Fawcett Street in the 1890s.

After Hills’ death, his assistants John Rutherford and James Patterson took over, eventually moving the shop to Waterloo Place in 1929. The business became Hills & Co Ltd, run by members of the Rutherford and Dean families. Over the years, the store expanded, acquiring neighbouring properties and diversifying its offerings to include gifts, jewellery, Kodak cameras, and more.

Despite its long-standing success and deep community roots, Hills & Co closed in 2006, after more than 150 years of trading. The rise of chain bookstores, supermarkets, and online shopping made it difficult for the independent retailer to compete. Its closure marked the end of an era in Sunderland’s retail history