The Shippam's business first started in 1786, when Charles Shippam established a grocery store in Westgate, Chichester. In more recent times Bassil Shippam was chairman of the company and also held many public offices, including chairman of the magistrates' bench and posts in education and sport. He was awarded the MBE for his community work. Bassil Shippam died in 1968 but he is still remembered today in several ways, not least the Bassil Shippam Centre which provides a venue for many community activities.
