Category Archives: Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies

Debunking ‘Britain’s First Supermarket’: The Myth of Manor Park

On 12 January 2023 social media was awash with blogs and posts – including ones published by respected bodies like the British Library and Historic England – celebrating the opening of ‘the first British supermarket’ on 12 January 1948 at … Continue reading

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Irwin’s ‘Ruby Red Stores’

Irwin’s was a popular regional grocery chain from the 1880s until 1960, when it was taken over by Tesco and phased out. The shops spread from the company’s Liverpool heartland, along the North Wales coast. The founder, John Irwin (1839-1920), … Continue reading

Posted in Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 6 Comments

Kays Modern Food Stores

Kays’ shop at 3 High Street, Ely, is a surviving remnant of a grocery chain that had over 100 small branches throughout much of South-East England and the Midlands in the middle of the 20th century, before the age of … Continue reading

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Queens and GEM: Building Asda, 1965-1970

When Asda (capitalised as ASDA from 1985) came into being in 1965 the grocery and provisions trade was undergoing a radical transformation throughout the British Isles. Small counter-service shops were gradually being superseded by self-service ‘supermarkets’, defined as having a … Continue reading

Posted in ASDA, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 2 Comments

Buttercup Dairy Company

A Potted History of the Buttercup Dairy Co. Ltd. The Buttercup Dairy Co. devised one of the most artistic and coherent retail house styles to be found on Scottish high streets in the 20th century. The shops of few other … Continue reading

Posted in Buttercup Dairy Co, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 1 Comment

Food Experts: William Jackson & Son Ltd. of Hull

The History of William Jackson & Son Ltd. The Hull-based grocery, provisions and bakery business of William Jackson & Son Ltd. evolved into a coherent chain of convenience stores which was taken over by Sainsbury’s in 2004. The founder, William … Continue reading

Posted in Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, William Jackson & Son Ltd. | 4 Comments

‘The Greatest Grocers in the World’: International Tea Company’s Stores

‘International Stores’ was a common sight on English high streets from 1878, when the first shop opened in Brentford, until 1988, when all remaining outlets were rebranded ‘Gateway’. To give the company its full name, ‘International Tea Company’s Stores’ was … Continue reading

Posted in Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 13 Comments

Spotting Historic Shopfronts: Baldock

A plum spot on the Great North Road meant that the small market town of Baldock in Hertfordshire became an ideal staging post for people journeying north from London. From the 17th century onwards it was chock-a-block with coaching inns, … Continue reading

Posted in Fashion and Clothing, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, Spotter's Guides, Streetscape | Leave a comment

Star Supply Stores

Stumbling across the wonderful Star Supply Stores on Lowestoft’s historical High Street – now Raphael Crafts – prompted a bit of research into this retail business. Star was one of many chains of grocers and provision dealers that thrived in English towns during the late … Continue reading

Posted in Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 8 Comments

Dairy Chain: The Story of the Meadow Dairy Company

Previous posts have discussed the provisions shops of Lipton’s, David Greig, Home & Colonial Stores and the Maypole Dairy Co. All these businesses, though long gone, had distinctive shopfronts which can still – occasionally – be recognised on modern high … Continue reading

Posted in Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies | 6 Comments