The magnificent building that once housed Busby's Department store, in Manningham Lane, was destroyed in a spectacular fire in 1979. But, as reporter Will Kilner found out, memories of the popular store are about to rise from the ashes in a new exhibition.

Founded in 1908, Busby's store soon secured a fond place in the hearts and minds of Bradfordians.

It dominated Manningham Lane for nearly five decades from the 1930s, capturing the imagination of shoppers with its reputation as "the store with the friendly welcome".

Now an exhibition, which starts on Saturday at Bradford Industrial Museum, is set to portray all aspects of the store's fascinating history.

Using superb images from C H Wood's photographic archive, the exhibition will tell the story of Busby's, including images of the famous Christmas grotto, many different departments within the store and the staff and window displays that made it so popular.

The store's history is brought to life with personal memorabilia from the Busby family collection, and the collections of Bradford Museum Service, to illustrate the amazing range of items that were available, including toy soldiers, bags, silk umbrellas and model lorries.

Michael Callaghan, collections officer at the industrial museum, said the concept of the exhibition began 12 months ago when he was working on the C H Wood photographic archive.

He said: "We found glass negatives from 1939 of the Busby's store and we put up a small display last Christmas, which generated a lot of interest.

"But people were disappointed there wasn't more in the exhibition, so we decided to contact the Busby family and they were delighted to work with us and the museum service to put together a really thorough exhibition.

"We've got hundreds and hundreds of amazing images, so it was difficult to choose which ones to use.

"As a Bradfordian, I remember the store and I know it is looked at fondly by many people in the city."

Information panels will tell visitors how Ernest Busby, the founder of the store, was an apprentice to Matthew Rose, a London linen draper in 1886.

An original document, one of many that will be included in the exhibition, outlines how Ernest agreed to faithfully serve his master without salary and in return was instructed in the art' of a linen draper while living on the premises. His tasks included window cleaning, dusting, and running errands whilst working behind the haberdashery counter.

Following his apprenticeship he gained employment as a haberdashery buyer to a West End draper's emporium, then moved to Owen Owen Limited, of Liverpool, where he made his name in furs, buttons, and fashion trimmings.

In 1908, he left Owen Owen to start his own business, but his contract stipulated that he could not, for a period of five years, start a business within six miles of Liverpool Exchange.

Mr Callaghan believes that Mr Busby probably saw Bradford, the world's wool capital, as a great opportunity, prompting him to risk everything to buy the stock, fixtures and obtain possession of two failing shops in Kirkgate, Bradford for £3,035 and 14 shillings.

Ernest opened the doors of his own store on October 5, 1908, and the first day of trading drew a large crowd which required a policeman to control it.

Initial sales were good but fell after a month, but the shop's reputation eventually grew among Bradford's wealthy elite. As a furrier and dresser of furs, he became known as the man who was just as enthusiastic about the small items as well as the expensive ones.

After service in the 1914-18 war, Arthur, Gerald and Eric, the three sons of Ernest and Amy Busby, joined their father and traded with the now famous trademark of Sergeant Busby and his three men.

Ernest bought a store in Ilkley in 1918 which he saw as "an attractive business in one of the loveliest little towns in England".

Throughout the 1920s the Bradford business expanded into adjoining properties on Kirkgate, but eventually the range and volume of business exceeded capacity.

In 1929 a great opportunity arose to buy a larger building. Busby's moved quickly and purchased the Manningham Lane site.

People were puzzled. Would anyone go up the hill to the new shop?

Following five months of major building work at the Manningham Lane site, Busby's closed the Kirkgate store on Easter Saturday, 1930.

The new store opened for business four days later, with Amy Busby performing the official opening on Saturday, April 26, supported by her husband and daughter. To Ernest it was a "Palace of Merchandise".

While the Kirkgate store had concentrated on ladies' wear, underwear, linens, haberdashery and furs, the spacious new surroundings allowed customers to linger and also bring their families. They came to take coffee, tea or to enjoy lunch.

The Manningham store multiplied five times between 1931 and 1939 by extending into adjoining buildings and doubling the depth providing many more departments. Staff numbers increased from 150 to 800.

In 1935, a petrol pump service station opened behind the store with a car park. In 1937, a Power House and Laundry were built which generated electricity for the store and drove engines for vacuum suction for both cleaning and the cash tubing.

Six employees at Busby's lost their lives in World War Two and a war memorial was erected at the Hallfield Road entrance to the store.

Post war expansion continued and an ice cream factory opened to compliment the catering and bakery activities. Nearby Fountain Hall was acquired and soon became a rendezvous for social occasions in Bradford.

In 1953 Buckley's of Harrogate was bought from the John Lewis Partnership bringing the total of stores with the Busby's name to three.

Many tributes were paid in 1957 when, aged 87, Ernest died at his home, Larkfield, in Leylands Lane, Bradford. The following year Busby's marked 50 years of business with a firework display in Peel Park, which attracted 50,000 people. A Jubilee Ball was held attended by more than 1,000 past and present employees.

A friendly merger, seen as a way of securing Busby's future, was agreed in 1958 with John Bedford, chairman of Debenhams.

But in March 1973, Debenhams announced that all its stores would be re-branded with their name. All references to Busby's disappeared and, in 1978, Debenhams announced it was closing the Bradford store.

The proposal to demolish the Victorian building was met with public outcry, but the derelict premises were destroyed by a spectacular fire in 1979.

Now the exhibition will give people the chance to relive the store's happier days.

The grand opening takes place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday and there will be Christmas story time events, in the Busby's style, at 2pm on Sundays December 9, 16 and 23.

Former workers and loyal customers of Busby's will share their memories with visitors at an event between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, January 27. All events are free. The exhibition runs until February 24.