Pershore-based family firm W. L. Brown Ironmongers will be celebrating a century in business this August.
The Brown family have been trading from the same store in High Street, Pershore, since 1913 and still own the business today. The story starts with Mr William Lyon Brown, who went from being an apprentice at C. H. Field Ironmongers to taking on the business and transforming it into W. L. Brown. Back then the annual rent was a grand old sum of £35 a year.
The store was originally an agricultural ironmonger selling farming implements and barn machinery. Over the years, it has naturally evolved with the changing needs of the local community and industry to supply items including fishing tackle, firearms and even operated a laundry service.
W. L. Brown is now the oldest surviving business in Pershore, and, according to its current manager Nick Green, thinks of itself "more as a DIY or home hardware" store rather than traditional ironmongery.
As part of its celebrations, the store is hosting a Centenary Garden Party and hog roast on August 4, with guests invited from all over the UK. Memorabilia and historical artefacts collected by the business over the years will be on display, and a Grand Centenary Raffle will be held in aid of St Richards' Hospice.