One of Chichester's most important families was the Shippam family. The first Shippam's business was a grocery run by Charles Shippam I, at Westgate. This opened in 1786. His son, Charles Shippam II continued the family business and was also one of the shareholders in the Corn Exchange. In 1851, Charles Shippam III started a butchers shop at 48 East Street. In 1892 a factory was built behind the shop, producing canned goods and potted meats. In 1905, Shippams first used the glass jar with sealed metal lid, and started sterilising their products for a longer shelf life. The factory was visited by Queen Mary in 1924 and a staff social club was built in 1927. During the second world war, there was a shortage of male labour, and Shippams employed its first female staff in 1942. Shippams was one of the first companies to advertise on the new 'commercial' television station in 1955. During the latter part of the 20th Century, new ranges were introduced, including Chicken Supreme in 1961 and the Old El Paso Mexican food range in 1984. The company became part of the Grand Metropolitan group in 1995 and the last member of the Shippam family retired in 1998.