The Guildford shop that's been a high street staple since 1885 and 'shines a light' for independent retailers

Article taken from Surrey Live: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/nostalgia/guildford-shop-thats-been-high-32211665

In 2025, you will be fairly hard-pressed to find independent businesses in Guildford's town centre. One however, has stood the test of time, and is celebrating it's 140th birthday this year.

On such an impressive milestone - SurreyLive has caught up with Biddles of Guildford, a stationary shop which can be found on Ward Street - to share the story of it's illustrious history, but also get some insight into how the business continues to flourish in the modern day.

David Goddard and Neal Heaven are now joint owners and managers of Biddles, having taken over the business in 2020, during the time of uncertainty brought on by the pandemic.

When asked how it feels to be one of the longest standing independent businesses in Guildford, Neal said: "It feels very good. And we will be the last business standing," He said jokingly. "We have to be proud of the legacy we are continuing. It's something that weighs heavily on my shoulders although I laugh and joke."

Neal first began working at Biddles all the way back in 1969, when he was just 16-years-old, and continues working now at 71.

Reflecting on this time, Neal said: "I keep thinking, shall I retire? You know people (former staff) come in here and say, they used to work for us, or their father did. It's unbelievable".

With nearly 150 years of history, staff at the Ward Street shop thought it would be a good time to compile a complete history of Biddles of Guildford. Biddles was first founded in 1885, when father Charles, and son Leonard Biddle moved from Alton and began a printing business on the corner of Martyr Road and Haydon Place, with work soon 'flooding in' as they offered cheaper prices than out-of-town printers. Charles Biddles retired nine years later in 1894, and died in 1905, leaving his son Leonard, and his three sons to carry on the family business.

In the decades after, Biddles grew in size and opened its new premises, with two shops on the High Street, and a printing works on Chertsey street.

By 1923, the decision was made to bring all business under one roof and a site on Martyr Road was chosen to do this, where the business remained until 1977. By 1935, Leonard retired, remaining as Chairman of the business until he died in 1945. During WWII, the factory played it's part in the war effort, with half of it's facilities being repurposed to manufacture aircraft components.

The company's growth continued into the 60s, 70s and 80s, with a, for the time, 'state-of-the-art' print works being opened on Woodbridge Park, with a reprographic unit, in 1979.

In 1987, Biddles came under new ownership - being acquired by Strakers, however managing director Jonathan Straker reportedly had 'every intention' of keeping the well-known business on Martyr Road. But, by 1989, a new shop had to be found as the existing one was 'falling into disrepair' - choosing Ward Street as their new home - where they remain to this day.

In 1997, Straker merged with Oyez, with a number of stores across the country closing, however Guildford's was kept alive, being seen as a 'valuable asset' to the company.

After many years of successful trading, Office team acquired StrakerOyez, with the Ward Street branch using this as a chance to rebrand to Biddles of Guildford. While the advent of new printing technologies in 1993 changed business, Biddles continued for nearly thirty years; until the COVID pandemic.

Lockdown forced non-essential business to close, including Biddles, and after a couple months of this, a major investor of the business 'suddenly' announced the closure of the business; making all staff redundant. After a series of frantic calls and emails, long-time staff and managers David Goddard and Neal Heaven negotiated a six month term with the landlord. And, after sorting out the logistics and stopping the stock pick-up lorry just in time, Biddles was saved.

To re-open, Biddles launched a crowd funding campaign, and with the help of many residents and businesses in Guildford on the store opened again on July 1, 2020, with the promise of restoring all redundant staff's jobs.

And since, Biddles has 'bounced back', extending it's range of products in printing and furniture. By 2022, Biddles started on it's art department, stocking acrylics, oil and watercolours by Winsor Newton.

In a conversation with Neal Heaven and David Goddard, the pair reflected on the history of their business, as well as it's current position in the market. When asked what the hardest point has been for them, David said: "COVID, that's when we were made redundant, myself and all the staff, and then we ended up having to make a decision to buy the place and see if we could keep it going. But, second to that is probably recently, as business has been very poor. But it could just be a blip, we hope".

When asked what might happen if Biddles was forced to close, Neal added: "I've told David, if we go and shut that door, we'll have people chucking bricks through the window, coming back with pick axes to smash the door down. I'm not joking. It would be a big.

"We had an old lady come in the other day saying she's heard that you might be closing down. I said, 'Who's told you that?' And she said, 'Well, what can I do? What can we do? We don't want Biddles to closed'. I turned her down, 'Oh, no, you don't need to worry yourself, love.' But I thought she was going to give me a million pound" He said jokingly.

The now-owners were proud to add that descendants of the Biddles family are still involved. With Leonard's granddaughter Carol, still visiting from time-to-time, sharing family artefacts related to the business with them.