Shock as family run firm puts all of its shops up for sale

A family-run hardware business  has put all of its shops up for sale.

Lawsons, which was 120 years ago, has put its stores in Tavistock, Totnes and Ivybridge on the market.

Managing director Liz Lawson said the shops are for sale as there is no one to succeed her in the business.

Ms Lawson’s great-grandfather Tom opened Lawsons’ first store in Plymouth in 1904.

She became manager of the Tavistock shop in 1994, before becoming managing director in 1998.

The shop sold tools to people working at the Devonport Dockyard and apprentice craftsmen.

The original Plymouth shop has closed but Lawsons kept three stores open in Devon.

Ms Lawson said: “It is with very mixed emotions that today I am announcing that Lawsons will put on the market for sale as a going concern.

“In 2024 Lawsons will have been trading for 120 years and we are starting to plan for the succession of the business, there is no family succession so the board has taken the decision to sell.

“I know this will come as a shock to many of our customers, so please know this decision has not been made lightly.

“Obviously Lawsons means a great deal not only to me and my family but also to the team that works so hard every day and our loyal customers which makes it the success we are today.

“It is our objective to sell these shops as going concerns; this way we can preserve jobs and the businesses can continue to be an essential part of our communities.”

She added:  “I’ve always been a passionate High Street retailer.

“I think high streets are a key part to our communities and without them I think we’ll be lost.”

She added it will feel like “handing over a baby” to whoever ends up buying the shop.

Ms Lawson also said she hoped the new owners could preserve the jobs of the staff working for the company.

She said: “It is unsettling for them and I do really appreciate that, but I hope they trust me to find the right person to hand it over to.”