Doncaster grocery store celebrates 70 years in business

Taylors of Tickhill has served residents of the vtown since 1946 and has adapted over the years to provide generations of families from the local community with everything they need.

As they reach this special milestone, the owners are looking forward to another 70 years of independence, serving and supporting the local community.

Christopher Taylor is the third generation of Taylors to work in the family business. His grandparents, who started the store, were still active in the store into their 80s, and his father Roy still works with him four days a week.

Over the years, Taylors has evolved with numerous extensions and purchases of adjacent properties and now incorporates a 3,000 sq ft sales area as well as 2,000 sq ft of kitchen, cold room, warehouse and goods received area. The store employs 18 full- and part-time members of staff.

Christopher believes competing with larger retailers will always present a challenge, but the main difference between his store and bigger shops is the level of personal service given.

“None of my staff wear name badges yet we’re on first name terms with the majority of our customers. We’re also proud to hold the longest unblemished Challenge 25 licensing record in Doncaster.

“We recognise customer loyalty and as our customers have got older and less able to get out and about we have found that they value having their shopping delivered.

“We have always offered a delivery service to customers – my grandfather started it on a delivery bike, long before the days of online home delivery services.

“For many of our older customers who are not internet savvy we just deliver their shopping as part of the existing van delivery service, this is just something that has happened with the passage of time and was not intended to become an everyday service.

“In a small community, it’s easy to drop off en route. Elderly customers basically tell us what they want, and we drop off it off when they need it. Or some prefer to come in and do their shopping but rather than carry their shopping bags home, leave it with us to drop off later that day. We do this for around 60 valued customers at present and will continue to do so,” he said.

Independents’ Day was launched to celebrate the economic and social contributions made by independent businesses. Now in its sixth year, businesses across the UK will be marking Independents’ Day with a raft of celebrations and special promotions to raise awareness, change perceptions and encourage footfall.