Did working at landmark Birmingham department stores lead to mum’s fatal asbestos cancer?

A former sales assistant’s family have asked lawyers to investigate whether her work at popular department stores in Birmingham caused her asbestos-related cancer death.

Barbara Devey, of West Bromwich, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer, usually of the lining of the lung most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

She died just a few months after her diagnosis, aged 87.

The mum-of-five and grandma-of-11’s family are now searching for answers and have instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her illness and where she was exposed to asbestos.

They’re keen to hear from anyone who worked alongside Barbara at House of Carmen Ltd based in the former Lewis’s Department Store on Bull Street in Birmingham, or at the former Rackhams store on Corporation Street in Birmingham in the 1980s. 

Jasmine Hunte, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer representing Barbara’s family, said: 

“Barbara’s family are still coming to terms with the death of a much-loved mum and grandma.

 

“We can’t bring Barbara back or lessen the pain her family are going through, but we’re determined to help them uncover the facts behind his asbestos exposure and provide them with the answers they’re looking for.

 

“While exposure to asbestos is commonly linked to heavy industry, its use was much more widespread, including in public buildings such as supermarkets and stores. The rapid change in stores during the ‘70s and ‘80s meant that premiss were being constantly redesigned and re-fitted.

 

“If any of Barbara’s old work colleagues could come forward with information, it could make all the difference to the family as they continue their search for answers and for some form of closure following Barbara’s death.”
 

Barbara worked as a sales assistant for House of Carmen Ltd, a wig making franchise, in Lewis’s Department Store then the Rackhams Department Store between 1982 and 1989.

Before her death, she recalled that renovations were carried out at the Lewis’s department store while she was working there and although the renovations largely took place at night, the store remained open during this period, creating a dusty and dirty working environment for Barbara. She believed asbestos in the building was being disturbed by the renovation work.

Barbara’s health began to decline in October 2023, when she developed symptoms such as a persistent cough and recurrent chest infections.

Following tests, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2024. Barbara died at home in August 2024.

Barbara was widowed and had five children, Kim, 69, Peter, who sadly passed away, aged 61, Symon, 62, Faye, 60, and Vicky, 57, as well as 11 grandchildren.

Her eldest son, Symon, said: “It’s still hard to accept that mum has gone. She was a wonderful woman and a committed mum.

“Nothing was ever too much trouble for mum. Family meant everything to her and she loved spending time together with us all. As her condition got worse, I could tell how hard it was for her not to be able to see everyone as often or take her grandchildren out for the day.

“Mum didn’t deserve to suffer in the way she did at the end. It broke my heart to see her like that. No one deserves to go through the suffering mum did in those final months. We’d not heard of mesothelioma before mum’s diagnosis, but our family know full well how dreadful an illness it is.

“If anyone who worked with mum, or anyone with information about the stores could come forward, we’d be so grateful. Your memories could be the key to helping us get the answers and honour mum’s memory.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Jasmine Hunte.