Aladdin’s cave DIY shop celebrates 50 years of trading
A TEAM of go-to guys from an engineering shop are celebrating the impressive milestone of 50 years in business.
Richard Delaney opened his ironmongery shop on Mill Lane on June 18, 1965. He and his wife Ann ran the business over the years and it became a trusted shop in the community.
Richard employed Kevin Wilshaw and decided to sell him the business in 2005 when he retired. Richard and his wife later moved to Dove Holes in Derbyshire.
Kevin runs the shop with his wife Lorraine and his brother Martin, keeping the Delaney name, and has built a reputation for being the go-to place for engineering supplies. Now they are celebrating 50 years since the shop first opened for business.
Lorraine said: “The shop is still thriving and serving the tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts of Macclesfield. The premises may appear small from the outside but it’s huge, with stock to match and is called an Aladdin’s Cave or Tardis.
“The shop has a very traditional feel, with the original trade counter and pricing ledgers and has to be visited to appreciate the wide range of products but also the welcome that all customers receive.
“Over the years we’ve become the supplier of a number of specialised products which you can’t get in similar outlets. If we don’t stock it we will do our best to get it.
“We’re carrying on the business in the spirit of the founder, Richard.
“In the true ‘show must go on’ tradition after the power strikes of the 1970s a power generator was installed by Mr Delaney, even though at the time the shop was exempt from electricity rationing because of the vital role it played in the community.”
The business opened at 58 Mill Lane and in September 1985 moved across the road to its current location at 75-77.
Kevin and Lorraine are keeping it a family affair with sons Matthew and Lee working in the shop. They have a daughter Nikki too.
Martin, 41, from Bosley – dad to Mia, seven, and Vinnie, four – said: “Richard was happy we decided to take it on because it was always a family business. It’s a shame shops are closing in Macclesfield but after 50 years it just goes to show what’s possible when you keep going.”