Parkers DIY hardware store celebrates landmark 80th anniversary
Family business celebrates 80th year
A family-run business is celebrating an “incredible milestone” as it reaches its 80th birthday.
Today, Parkers DIY is run by Roy Parker with branches in Stubbington, Denmead, Fareham and North Baddesley but it all started in 1946 when Roy’s mum Eileen Tribbeck opened Stubbington Ironmongery & Hardware Store on Stubbington Green.
Eileen was later joined by her husband Jack Parker in running the store before they handed the reigns over to Roy, the youngest of their two sons. He set about expanding the business adding the three new stores, with each site celebrating the milestone on Saturday, July 18.
There will be 80th birthday branded bags and pens, while a number of suppliers have donated items for 80 goodie bags and20 of them being handed out to the first 20 customers at each branch. Any customer who spend over £20 on the day will be entered into a draw to win an £80 voucher.
Joe Addis is the manager at the Fareham branch and has worked there for 15 years.
He said: “It is a great achievement, not many small businesses last that long and it is only second generation with Roy’s parents starting it and he is still here six days a week working hard.”
Joe believes the store unique products is what has helped the shops stand the test of time, offering items not found in bigger chains of hardware stores.
He said: “Aladdin’s cave is one of the most commonly said things in the shop, there is a huge number of customers who come in and describe it as that.
“People usually come here for the things that they can’t find elsewhere, with big stores they will work to a sales target and if it doesn't hit that it is off the shelf. Whereas that is not the case for us, we buy in small quantities and expect to sell in small quantities.
“People like being able to buy nuts and bolts in singles rather than packs of 50 or so, it is one of our key things, that and unusual items.”
While the longevity of the store is being celebrated this weekend, it is not the only notable milestone the company has celebrated this year with dedicated employee June Lillywhite celebrating her 40th year in the business in May.
Eileen, the founder of the business, passed away earlier this year at the age of 96 but her legacy looks set to continue into the future with Roy’s children now also involved.
A Parkers DIY statement said: “The world has changed drastically since our post war beginning but our dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction has not. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers past and present and to our hardworking staff who have helped to reach this incredible milestone.”