Memories of fabulous Baker Bros
WHEN talking about shops from yesteryear, there is always a name on the tip of everyone’s tongue - Baker Brothers.
The well-known firm of Baker Bros (Burton) Ltd was founded in 1933 by two brothers - Mark and Len Baker in the form of a travelling shop.
The firm specialised in selling household goods, kitchenware and paraffin which was drawn from a warehouse in Derby Street - this warehouse went on to become the Burton Central Club but is now housing.
The firm’s first vehicle was a Chevrolet with wooden wheels.
This Chevrolet was soon to become a welcome asset to villages and hamlets around Burton.
This vehicle was replaced in 1937 with a Ford and a Bedford as the firm was now firmly established.
It was around this time that younger brother Alyn also joined the firm and this meant it was possible to have two vehicles on the road delivering at any one time while also enabling them to travel further afield to the likes of Ashbourne.
Speaking at the age of 92 in April 2004, Len Baker said: “I was 21 when I started with my brother, Mark. We were both working in the London area and I’m not sure if it was homesickness which made us come back.
“But we bought an old van and started hawking round the countryside. It was a very good business with a smashing atmosphere, and we were often out until nine or 10 at night, to places like Hanbury and Church Broughton.”
Over the years trade improved at a rapid rate but then came the arrival of the Second World War and brothers Mark and Len had no choice but to close down the business.
Mark Baker was heading for service in the Navy while Len was heading into the Army and Alyn into war work.
The business sprang back to life in 1945 when Len was discharged from the Army and suitable premises were found at number 141-2 Derby Street.
This time the three brothers decided to opt for more orthodox shop work, however, they had regrets and fond memories of leaving their old delivery service in the past.
Shortly after re-opening in December 1945, Alyn was able to rejoin the business followed by Mark after his Navy discharge.
Supplies also started to become more readily available and the shop was able to start servicing the needs of households, handymen and industry which led to the firm becoming “limited” in 1948.
It was at this time that the official name of Baker Bros (Burton) Ltd was established with the three brothers acting as the only shareholders in the firm.
As the decades moved on it became clear that the shop needed more space and better display windows to show off their stock.
This happened in 1963 when an old display window and cottage next door were demolished which enabled the shop to be completely remodelled.
After the retirement of the original Baker brothers, Len’s son, also called Mark, took over the running of the shop.
Before the store’s closure in 2004, Mark Baker (jnr) had been there for 40 years.
The other shopkeepers at the time were Michael Hall, who had been at the store for 35 years, and John Powell who had 15 years’ service.
Speaking as the business closed in April 2004, Mark Baker (jnr) said: “All the customers were interesting and all had stories to tell. They are all going to be upset. It has been a laugh from start to finish. It’s just a shame.”
Len, too, was upset at the passing of another of Burton’s old stores. He said: “I’m sad to see it go.
“But when I think of all the other businesses that have closed I have to accept it.
“I must say that we considered ourselves the number one before the garden centres came along. Every customer who came in was a friend.”