DIYWEEK.net

Tributes have been paid to Horace Lord of family-run High Wycombe hardware store Isaac Lord, who died at the end of last month.
Mr Lord was born in High Wycombe in 1922. His father George had inherited the family ironmongers in Desborough Road, which had been started by his father, Isaac, in 1892. At this time Isaac Lord had two shops in High Wycombe, the other one being in Priory Road, where Mr Lord worked and mastered the trade.

Beside the trade supplies to the local furniture industry, Isaac Lord had a large range of tools, ironmongery, china and glass, cleaning materials, gardening tools and lawnmowers, as well as many other products.

Mr Lord spent a lot of his time buying product and negotiating with suppliers. With the advent of rocker and reclining chairs, he sourced a rocker chair action from USA and also had reclining chair actions manufactured in the UK to an exclusive design.

He also visited the Interzum exhibition in Cologne to expand the range of products stocked, and the advent of knock-down furniture saw Isaac Lord ready to supply fittings to this important market.

Mr Lord was invited to join the Rotary Club in High Wycombe, becoming treasurer and secretary, and was very proud and appreciative of his loyal staff, many of whom gave long years of service.

He retired in 1984, when his brother David and eldest son Alan continued to manage the company. He had seen many changes, including the expansion of the business into new purpose-built premises on Desborough Road opposite the existing shop and a separate warehouse and trade counter in Desborough Park Road.

Mr Lord took on the challenge of writing a book in preparation for the centenary of the company in 1992. He spent many hours visiting all parts of the country, interviewing suppliers, talking to old staff and customers, and did much research at High Wycombe Library. Entitled A Century at Lord's, it was distributed to customers and suppliers.

Mr Lord leaves a wife, Joy, four children, eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. The company said: "He loved them all and will be missed, but his smile and quiet nature, his inspiration and dedication to his work will continue to shine through those he met in his life."