East Lancashire family business to close 125 years on

Henry Speak and Sons which has been open for 125 years in Earby is set to cease trading on New Year’s Eve.

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The Victoria Road firm, which sells branded wallpaper, wicker ware and fancy goods, first welcomed customers in 1889. when it begun selling paint and wallpaper.

At that time it was run by Henry, a painter and decorator, with his two sons Rennie and Eddie and his daughter Jennie.

By 1950 the business was booming and the company had 10 men working all over West Craven as well as selling paint and wallpaper.

For the last 50 years it has been run by his grandson Donald, 80 and his wife Ann, 76, who increased their product range as DIY became more popular.

Donald who is the third generation to run the business, was also a decorator and continued in the profession until he was 70.

Ann also ran sister business Hobnobs in Church Street Barnoldswick for 15 yearsselling homeware and fancy goods. The couple have decided to retire so they can to enjoy time to themselves, and made the decision to close the shop.

Ann said: “The thing we have enjoyed the most about having the shop is meeting the people of Earby. who have been very loyal. and made it a pleasure to work here.

“Everyone in the town knows us and without them we would not have been able to continue to for 125 years.

Trade isn’t like it used to be but it has been manic in the past week with everything at half price. We feel the time has come for us to have some retire.

and enjoy some time for ourselves. We need to decorate our house but we will be getting someone into do that rather than doing it ourselves.

“It has been like the old days since the posters went up saying we were closing. We would like to thank all our customersor their trade over the last 50 years. It’s the end of an era but we have enjoyed every minute.”

Donald, who was president of Earby Cricket Club and a keen Claret, plans to watch more cricket while continuing to support his beloved Burnley.