Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
It was 100 years ago on November 10th 1913 that Herbert John Bailey, known to all as Jacko, opened his optician's shop at 32 Snargate Street next to the Royal Hippodrome theatre. Since then, and after moving to the High Street, the same family have been running the business. Herbert's son Jack and Jack's wife Joan not only took over the business but also for a while ran the White Horse pub. Now, it's their son Nick who is in charge with the probability of Nick's eldest daughter Rachel in line to carry on the tradition.
There aren't many businesses in Dover that can claim to have been run by the same family for 100 years. Congratulations to them.
The Bailey Family.
Nick with his mum Joan and the Mayor.
A shop ledger from 1920.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Congratulations to Nick and his family - they must be doing something right.
Roger
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Superb - congratulations to the Bailey family.
A heartwarming story. Here's to the next 100 years.
John Buckley
- Registered: 6 Oct 2013
- Posts: 615
Yes, a credit to Dover. Always found Nicky and his work colleagues to be very friendly and efficient. Why go anywhere else?
A big " WELL DONE " to all the family!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Definitely should Not have gone to Specsavers. Well done the Bailey family, keep it up.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
No computers in there, all the customers are on little card indexes in little boxes. Not been in for 12 months so don't know if it has changed. Always had great service there. Congratulations to the Bailey family, remember them from the White Horse as well when I lived up Vic. park.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,920
Nicks a great guy
and a good rower to
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Great achievement - well done to Nick and his team. Just goes to prove that independent traders delivering good customer service can compete with the national chains in Dover.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
A good opportunity to inform everyone that the UK is holding its first ever Small Business Saturday on 7 December. This is an initiative that was started in the USA by American Express and is held on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. The aim is to show support for independent, small businesses. DDC is participating with free parking in off-street car parks on Saturday, 7 December.
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 637
Congratulations Nick and family. It is a really superb achievement for a family business especially in the highly competitive optical sector (which I know a bit about). What does it say on Nick's tie?
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Perhaps Forumites can tell us about other family businesses that have a long history in Dover and are still trading. How about Hughes the men's outfitters, John Angel the jewellers, etc.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Well done DDC for doing their bit on free parking and business support.
Allan Hughes is not owned by Allan Hughes, it was bought some time ago (since I've been in Dover) by Arthur Salisbury; a very nice chap selling good quality men's clothing.
He was always very supportive of every initiative I started and was sorry to see me stop. He still asks me to help whenever necessary.
Roger
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Thanks for the information, Roger. Although no longer family owned, Hughes Outfitters is another example of a strong independent business that has survived the vagaries of the high street due to good old fashioned customer service. People are often quick to criticise the shopping offer in Dover but we should be proud of the diversity we have managed to retain on the high street. With the emerging good news around the St James's development, Dover has the opportunity to create a really exciting destination offer. Thriving small businesses on the high street are an essential part of the mix.
Terry Nunn- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I like that Terry.
Thank you Kevin - I couldn't agree more.
I still believe though that Dover needs a "Manager" - someone who can co-ordinate many things and be there to support businesses and their needs; to give Dover direction and, contrary to David's (Little) view, it doesn't need £50,000/£60,000 a year to afford it, but it does need a proper Business Plan.
Roger
Guest 977- Registered: 27 Jun 2013
- Posts: 1,031
On this theme but just outside Dover, the Carpenters Arms at Coldred had a beer festival earlier this year to celebrate 100 years in the same family - and if you visit, you might think 100 years with the same décor!
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 637
Thank you Terry. Dover does have some very good independent businesses. It has been said before but one of the real problems is that the shopping street is so long from the Charlton Centre to the proposed St James development. The population of Dover is not big enough to support it. At least we do have proper shops open every day. In Deal there are quite a few attractive niche shops that are never open or only open a few hours a week for weekenders. I have theory that some are "faux" shops bought as cheaper commercial property and used as solely residential with a token business for appearances only. The current business rate relief for small businesses encourages this.
