NEWMANS HISTORY
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Newmans Hardware Store was founded in 1909 and was bought by the Crawford family in 1980. When the Crawfords took over the store it had not changed in style for generations and the stock was stored in wooden boxes on shelves behind the counter. Over the years it has been extended and refurbished, the shop now being over four times its original size. Although modern in layout it still carries a large range of products which are unavailable in some of the superstores. It stocks hardware, DIY Tools & materials, household goods & cleaning products, cookware, electrical accessories, lightbulbs & batteries, gardening products and pest control.
In 1998 it was decided to amalgamate Bloodworths and Newmans on the same site, keeping the timeless traditions of friendly service and advice.
BLOODWORTHS HISTORY
Bloodworths is believed to be the UK’s oldest pet store, founded in 1842 by James Bloodworth. Originally it supplied animal feed to farmers and the public alike, and the business soon expanded to three stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Winchcombe. In 1934 the Cheltenham branch, then in Albion Street, became legendary when two circus elephants who were parading through the town entered the store to steal some goodies! The story is depicted in five murals on the side wall of the old Woolworths building in the High Street.
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Murals on the Woolworths store in mosaic with over 90,000 pieces.
The Bloodworth family connection was severed in 1972 when the executors of the late Mr Bloodworth sold the business to Mr H.A. Crawford. It still remains in the ownership of the Crawford family today. It became even more famous when its 150th birthday celebrations were shown on television, the guest of honour being an orphan baby lion cub from the West Midlands Safari Park which had been reared on a special dried cat milk sold in the shop.