The History of Harts
Every generation makes a mark
Philip has always had his eye on the next big thing and , with that in mind , in the early ’ 90s , Harts took its first tentative steps into mail order . Some early success gave us the encouragement we needed , and our first trading website was launched in 1995 , one of the first operational and trading sites anywhere in the country . We even featured in the Daily Telegraph .
This proved successful , but it was driving forward without a proper direction for a year or two , until Philip ’ s two sons left university , and joined the family firm . Johnathan and Graham were able to bring a much greater understanding of the modern , technological world . The internet business has grown very rapidly , becoming a well respected , national award-winning enterprise .
Harts exhibited at all the major country and agricultural shows in the UK . This pictures shows their stand at the Royal Bath & West Show sometime during the 1970s .
A purpose-built 60,000 square-foot dispatch centre was completed in 2010 , and a new suite of sales offices shortly after in 2013 , both designed to give our mail order customers the same level of service and efficiency that our store customers have enjoyed for so many years . Graham has three daughters , while Johnathan has a son , so the next generation is all lined up !
The rest of the family
We now employ over 40 staff , all of whom are dedicated to our ‘ family business ’ ethos that has always garnered both customer and staff loyalty . We call them our extended family – some have worked here for over 25 years , and all are friends as well as colleagues . Our family business is built on our lovely staff , and they all play an important part in our past , and our future .
Slightly closer to home , this picture is of their stand at the Shaftesbury & Gillingham Show , again sometime in the 1970s .
A Hart & Sons lorry loaded up and ready for another delivery .
Kitchen Magazine isn ’ t Harts first foray into publishing . This brochure advertised the range of farm equipment they manufactured .
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