Saturday boy buys hardware store after 44 years

Mortens in Ilkley was founded in 1937

A traditional ironmongers that has been described as an "institution" has been sold to an employee who had worked there for 44 years.

Mortens of Ilkley was founded in the town in 1937 and now stocks thousands of hardware products.

Its future was uncertain when previous owners Stephen and Anna Senior announced their retirement earlier this year, but the business has now been taken over by David Jowett and his wife Sharron.

Mr Jowett started at Mortens as a Saturday boy at the age of 16.

Ralph Morten, far right, and the Morten staff

Mrs Jowett, who now manages the accounts and store administration, said the couple wanted to retain Mortens' high street presence for as long as they could.

It has never had a website, though they have now set up its first Facebook page.

“David's bones are in the store,” she said. “Our staff have worked here for many years and built up a fabulous relationship with customers.

“We’re very lucky. We’re an institution in Ilkley.

"Many of the customers remember David as a young lad. There has been a steady stream of people coming in to personally congratulate him, which has been lovely."

Mortens was founded by Ralph Morten, but during World War Two his wife Barbara took over the running of the business.

In the 1970s the Mortens sold the shop to Stephen Senior's father, Brian, and Keith Hart - who joined the staff as teenagers.

Stephen Senior took over in 1995 and Keith Hart's son Peter still works at the shop.

Speaking to the BBC six weeks after the handover, Mrs Jowett reassured customers that Mortens would not change.

A recent spell of good weather had seen gardening products sell well, and the store's paints, which is mixed on-site, remained popular. More than 40,000 items are for sale.

“We’re not in it for the money. We want to keep it on the high street for as long as we can,” added Mrs Jowett.