ONE of the oldest businesses in Bridport, Smith and Smith, is marking its 135th anniversary this month so we are taking a look back at the history of the West Street outfitters.

In 1884, the same year Queen Victoria was Queen of England, William Gladstone was prime minster, work had just begun on the Statue of Liberty and Dr John Henry Kellogg had patented ‘flaked cereal’, Edwin Smith arrived in Bridport from Wyle in Wiltshire, having married a Miss Mary Smith of Mosterton to set up a tailoring business in South Street. It was also the same year Mr Michael Marks was starting to trade on a market stall in Leeds – that was to later become Marks & Spencer.

Their new shop was next door to the Methodist Church (now the arts centre), where there is now a second hand book. Two brass plaques with ‘S’s on them were proudly fixed to the wall either side of the window.

Edwin died in 1899 when his eldest son Robert was just 15 and was learning the tailoring trade in Weymouth. His mother, took over running the business until Robert returned, and then his younger brother Stanley was sent to Huntsmans of Savile Row in London to train. On returning to Bridport they carried on with the business, and in 1923 the family moved around the corner to 8 West Street where it is still thriving today.

Previously, the shop at 8 West Street was Northover – a furniture and funeral business. The Smith family had smart new shop fittings installed - there is still a framed receipt showing that one of the mahogany counters cost £9 & 10shillings.

Smith & Smith continued to flourish and in 1936 Donald Wraight from Wantage was appointed to run the outfitting side of the business. Donald married a local girl – Sheila Hine, her family had a stationary and printing business in East Street – Hine & Son – now where W H Smith is situated.

On April 23 1953 Stanley Smith suddenly died. His brother Robert was affected deeply by his brother’s death, and in the following October 23 he also died. The business continued with Donald Wraight as general manager and was administered by the Executors of Robert Smith.

This situation continued until 1955 when a limited company was formed with Donald Wraight as managing director and his wife Sheila as the company secretary. By now the Made to Measure had finished, but CMT (cut, make and trim) was still carried out with the cloth being sold in the shop and the suits being tailored by Frederick Curtis in Leeds.

The business continued to flourish, and in the 1980s the shop was expanded and internal alterations made to include a women’s department on the first floor.

Donald Wraight died suddenly in February 1985. His family made the decision to continue the business. His wife, Sheila and two daughters, Sue and Jane, became directors. Sheila and Sue managed the shop and ensured it maintained its traditional high standards of service and quality ranges while moving gently forward to meet changing trends and fashions. Sheila retired and Sue continues to manage the business and guide it to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

With the help of very knowledgeable and friendly staff Smith & Smith continues to grow and prosper. Today, they still pride themselves on the quality, value and diversity of the ranges they offer and the customer service they provide. The styles and fashions may change over the years, but the traditional values which have been embedded in the business for decades remain as important as ever.