Dockerills ends but a new era begins
At the end of September Dockerills will close, bringing to an end a business that has operated for over a century in Brighton.
It all started in 1886 when Walter Dockerill opened his Edward Street shop which sold mostly bicycles and spares along with a few ironmongery items. In 1935 the business expanded to three more shops in the street owing to customer requests for hardware items.
Shops were cheap to rent in the 1940s and Walter’s son, also called Walter, persuaded his father to rent shops in the Church Street and Gardner Street area. By 1948 the Edward Street shops were closed as the Church Street shops became the main focus of the business. Items for sale expanded, especially during the 1950s when they were selling hundreds of gallons of paraffin and by-products such as linseed oil.
In 1960 shops were now occupied at 101-103 church street, 1 Gardner Street, 5/6 Gardner Street, 50 Gardner Street and 98 Church Street in Brighton. Also a shop in Blatchington Road, Hove, was acquired on at temporary basis.
In 1964 they acquired a property in Church Road, Burgess Hill, which became known as ‘Dockerills Mid Sussex’, this was a popular shop in the local community and had the authentic feel of an old ironmongers while offering services including locksmiths, gas and paraffin. Sadly, it closed in 1995 due to the recession, decreased sales and ongoing expenses.
The current site of 3abc Church Street (Regent House) was purchased in the 70s and proved to be one of the most influential business moves in the company. In the 1980s the business model expanded to include sign making and key cutting along with DIY and gardening items.
The 90s were a busy period with the staff force increasing and continued development of the shop. A timber department was established on the lower floor area. With the cellars now fully utilised with stock and a cutting workshop it was a hive of industry throughout.
In 2005 Dockerills won the ‘Best Customer Service’ Award 2005 – a reward to the staff for their service and professional advice.
With much emphasis on ‘shopping local’ and creating a staff-customer relationship Dockerills offered the local community and afar the opportunity to ask for anything from one screw to a full master key system for a commercial property.
The good news is that Dockerills’ head office will remain in the building and continue to operate their transitional business model.
