As we mark 120 years of trading, Lawsons Shop stands as a testament to enduring family values, quality service, and a commitment to our community. From our humble beginnings to becoming a beloved local institution with three thriving stores, our journey is a story of passion, resilience, and growth. Join us as we take a look back at our history, celebrate our present, and look forward to what the future holds.
Lawsons Shop was founded by FTB (Tom) Lawson in 1904. Born in the Caicos Islands to a missionary family, Tom returned to England and apprenticed as an ironmonger in Preston. After managing a shop in Newcastle, he settled in Plymouth to marry Louise Leale from Guernsey. With her support, Tom opened his first shop, a tool merchant, at 13 Frankfort Street, Plymouth in November 1904, supplying the dockyard and apprentice craftsmen. By 1907, he was producing an annual tool catalogue for his customers. In 1923, Louise bought the shop’s freehold, securing its future.
In 1910, Tom also started a market garden business with his Guernsey in-laws, growing tomatoes and grapes. During WWII, this venture became essential, providing food for the country. However, on March 21-22, 1941, the Frankfort Street shop was destroyed in the Blitz. Remarkably, within two days, Tom's son Francis Lawson set up shop again, ensuring continuity for their customers.
By May 1941, Lawsons had rented premises at 7 Compton Street, expanding their offerings to include cutlery and toys, even hosting a visit from Mr Hornby of Hornby & Meccano fame. In 1952, as Plymouth was rebuilt, Lawsons relocated to 71 New George Street, near the original Frankfort Street site. By then, Tom had retired, and Francis oversaw the two businesses.
Over the next two decades, the business grew its toy department, adding Airfix kits, Aero engines, and model steam engines. In 1968, a significant fire caused extensive damage to the New George Street store, though fortunately, no one was hurt.
In 1971, John Lawson, Francis’s son, joined the business with his wife Jennifer and their four children. The market garden business went to John’s sister and her husband. The late 70s saw a rise in the popularity of kitchenware, which Lawsons began to promote. Jennifer, a keen amateur cake decorator, helped to set up the first British Sugar Craft Guild in Plymouth, establishing Lawsons as specialists in kitchenware and cake decorating.
Soonafter, In 1979, Lawsons acquired a shop in Totnes, where staff dressed in Elizabethan costumes on Tuesdays to celebrate the town's architecture. Despite the recession, Lawsons acquired a third shop in Tavistock in 1992, housed in the historic town corn mill with a leat running beneath it. Liz Lawson, John’s daughter, joined as the Tavistock store manager in 1994 and became Managing Director in 1998, the same year Lawsons started selling linens.
In the 21st century, Lawsons Shop has undergone significant developments. In 2000, the company ventured into online trading, marking a pivotal moment in its history. Three years later, in 2003, we relocated from our longstanding New George Street premises after over 50 years, moving to 13 Cornwall Street near a new shopping development in Plymouth. This move coincided with the establishment of a dedicated warehouse for distributing stock to stores and online customers.
The year 2004 was particularly special, as Lawsons celebrated a century of trading with various events, including a competition honouring our most loyal customer of nearly 70 years. In 2006, we expanded further by acquiring a hardware business in Ivybridge, operating two stores specialising in DIY, gardening, pet supplies, outdoor clothing, kitchenware, and linens.
In subsequent years, we continued to innovate and expand our offerings. We launched a new website in 2015 with enhanced features like product filtering and customer reviews. The introduction of haberdashery departments across all stores, selling Dartmoor-sourced Christmas trees in Tavistock, and partnering with local schools for uniform supplies further solidified our community presence.
Despite challenges like the 2018 weather extremes and the economic uncertainties surrounding Brexit in 2019, Lawsons persevered, launching new versions of the website and engaging in community events like Flavour Fest. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 necessitated operational adjustments, but Lawsons adapted by bolstering online sales and supporting local communities with essential supplies.
Looking forward, Lawsons remains committed to serving our customers with dedication and resilience, navigating changes in consumer behaviour and economic landscapes while maintaining our legacy of quality service and community engagement.
To celebrate this incredible milestone, we have been offering a range of special deals and events across all of our stores. Customers have been able to enjoy discounts on a variety of products and exclusive limited-time offers.
The celebrations do not stop there. We now have plenty of special offers available online to help mark this very special milestone in Lawsons’ history. With excellent discounts on iconic brands such as Le Creuset, KitchenAid and Brabantia, to name just a few, you’ll be able to bring a little extra quality and style to your home and garden, giving them an extra lift ready for the summer. You can browse all of our special offers in our 120th Anniversary Summer Sale here.
From a small general store to a thriving multi-store business, Lawsons Shop's 120-year journey is a testament to our commitment to quality and community. We invite you to celebrate with us and take advantage of the special offers available during this anniversary year. Here's to many more years of serving you with the best products and service.
Visit us at our stores in Tavistock, Totnes and Ivybridge or explore our offers online at Lawsons Shop.
