The future of a Lancashire hardware independent that has been trading for over 60 years has been assured, with a new owner taking the helm.
Established in 1948, Blundells Hardware in Longton, near Preston, was previously owned and run by Graham Blundell, who had taken over the business from his parents, Ron and Evelyn. However, wanting to retire he put it on the market and has now sold it to Nick Thompson - fulfilling a long-held ambition of his to own a hardware shop.

"My background is in retail, mainly garden centre management," Mr Thompson told diyweek.net.

"I've been looking to strike out on my own for some time and Blundells Hardware was too good an opportunity to miss. It’s in a fantastic landmark building in a great location and has a proud history of good old-fashioned customer service.

"With the previous owner looking to retire, it had been ‘run at a pace to suit’ for a number of years, so there is a lot of potential for growth. The business has a great future."


Read more in the October 23 issue of DIY Week