The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Oldest business in town has shut after 182 years
It is truly the end of an era today as Watsons the ironmongers in Inverurie closes its doors for the final time – after 18 decades in business.
Watsons was one of the north-east’s oldest and best-known businesses, standing steadfast at its Market Place premises for an incredible 182 years.
Despite the changing face of retail, the traditional hardware store remained at the heart of Inverurie.
From pan handles to picture hooks, if you needed it, Watsons had it.
Much of the ironmonger’s business at this time would have been supplying internal ironmongery like door knobs, finger plates, locks, keys and hinges for properties in the expanding town.
The firm changed hands on October 22 1872 when John McIntyre Watson bought the shop on Market Place.
An Inverurie man and town provost, he was a former ship’s engineer who had travelled to the Far East before returning to the Garioch.
A decade later in 1882, the business was passed down to John M Watson’s son James John Watson.
James J Watson changed the trading name to JJ Watson – a name that remains on the green sign above the shop to this day.
He also moved the business away from grocery and general wares to concentrate solely on the ironmongery aspect, which saw a steady trade with nearby farms.
During the First World War JJ Watson was mobilised as a part of the 7th Gordon Highlanders.
He went to France in 1915, where he was wounded, then later stationed at Ripon in Yorkshire before being discharged in 1919.
His business brought him close to the local farming community and he was involved with the Inverurie Agricultural Association as well as being a parish councillor.
He passed the family firm to his son James A Watson, who served an apprenticeship in ironmongery at Arbroath after the First World War.
It was up to the next generation – JA Watson – to steer Watsons into the modern age and as the years wore on, the business diversified.
The shop branched into glassware and china, establishing a gift and souvenir shop alongside its bread and butter ironmongery.
James A Watson passed away in 1967 and the firm was once again passed down through the family.
Watsons was now being run by fourth generation son James Stuart Watson and in 1972, the firm marked 100 years since the family took ownership.
As the years passed, Watsons also ran a successful garden centre and in the summer trollies of bedding plants would brighten up the pavement outside.
The new millennium brought the greatest change in Watsons’ history when the business was bought over in 2000 by Inverurie businesswoman Mary Sloane.
In the age of flat-pack furniture and modern living, Mary recognised a need to move away from the old ironmongery term.
It was announced earlier this month that Watsons was to close as Mary announced her retirement after more than two decades at the helm.
She said it had been a “happy” 21 years and added: “A way of life for everyone at Watsons is changing – incredibly most of our staff have been with Watsons for many years, some over 40 years!
“It has been a real privilege to help and serve the folks of this wonderful community, and we especially thank our regular customers.”
There has been an outpouring of support for Watsons following the announcement as the community mourns the loss of its oldest business.
Tributes have been paid to the “iconic” store from far and wide.
Although the name will be vanishing from the square in Inverurie, Watsons’ ironmongery will live on in the very fabric of the buildings that surround it.
Afond farewell to Watsons in Inverurie as it closes its doors for the final time today. Of course the closure is tinged with sadness, but we celebrate and honour the impressive 182 years that the ironmonger traded on Market Place and wish current owner Mary Sloan a happy retirement.
As our high streets appear to be turning away from national chains and back towards independent businesses, we hope to enter a new era of smaller, family-run retail, akin to the way Watsons has always operated.