Incredibly, some of Britain’s
oldest family firms have been around for almost 500 years, surviving multiple
wars, plagues and recessions. But just what is the secret to their success? In a new series of documentaries by the BBC entitled ‘Hidden Histories: Britain's
Oldest Family Businesses’, the UK's most longstanding firms share their top business tips, some of which can be found below:
1. Butchers: RJ Balson & Son - Established 1515
Records show Robert Balson
first rented a market stall in 1515 in the "Shambles" - an open-air
meat market where animals were slaughtered and blood would drip into the gutter
on the street. Offering personal and attentive customer service has kept
shoppers coming back over the centuries. Balson says he helps sort out his
customers' problems from behind the counter. "Usually if they've got a
problem it's because they are not eating enough meat," he explains.
2. Construction firm: R Durtnell & Sons -
Established 1591
Since the financial crash of
2008 over 7,000 UK building firms have gone out of business, but Durtnell and
Sons, based in Brasted, Kent, has remained afloat since the reign of Eliz abeth I. Spotting new ways of working has helped
the company thrive and in the early 1800s, owner at the time, Richard Durtnell,
made a crucial decision to bring together all the craftspeople he needed, such
as glaziers and bricklayers, in one yard. As a result of this innovation, he
became one of the first general builders.
3. Bank: C Hoare & Co - Established 1672
With two branches in London,
this independent bank can trace its origins back to the reign of Charles II
when founder Sir Richard Hoare began trading as a goldsmith and banker. His
clients included diarist Samuel Pepys and Charles II's widow Catherine of
Braganza. The tenth and eleventh generations of the Hoare family run the bank
today and the company says the secret to their longevity is adhering to their
core values and ethos - "to treat others as we would wish to be
treated".
4. Miller: Mornflake - Established 1675
William Lea started milling
oats at Swettenham Mill in 1675 in Cheshire and 15 generations later the
company is still trading. Current manager John Lea says constant innovation,
investment and commitment to consumers is the key to staying in business.
Innovation became particularly vital during World War Two. With home-grown,
sustainable food a necessity in the war, then-owner Philip Lea was ordered by
the Ministry of Food to leave the RAF and return home to Britain to "feed
the nation".
5. Hatters: James Lock & Co - Established 1676
Following the great
plague of 1665 and the great fire of 1666, wealthy residents from the City of
London moved to the west of the city in search of clean air. Entrepreneurial
shopkeepers spotted the exodus and opened up businesses in the emerging West
End. Choosing the right location was crucial to establishing James Lock &
Co. With a shop close to St James Palace, the firm became milliners to the
gentry and the military and still supply hats to the royal family today. Over
the years customers included Admiral Lord Nelson, Sir Winston Churchill and
Charlie Chaplin, but its most famous product was the very first bowler hat in
1850.
Tune into BBC Four at 9pm on Wednesdays to watch the programme or read the full article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25711108
