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History of Halfords

Take a look at Halfords fascinating history, how the company started, what we've achieved over the years and our plans for continued success.

Halfords History

Take a look at Halfords fascinating history how the company started, what we've achieved over the years and our plans for continued success with our timeline below:

1892

Halfords Cycle Company Limited is formed by Mr F.W. Rushbrooke in Birmingham, England as a local hardwares store.

1910

A further 110 retail stores are opened to the public throughout England.

1934

The first Scottish store opens in Glasgow.

1939-1940

With many members of the workforce serving their country at war, wives and families of managers take over running the stores.

1953

Mr F.W. Rushbrooke passes away.

1955

The main Corporation Street building in Birmingham burns to the ground, although just 10 days later the company is back up and running in a temporary building in Kyotts Lake Road.

1957

Halfords celebrates it's 50th Jubilee year with a special conference for all managers and a dinner at the Grand Hotel in London.

1959

Halfords returns to Corporation Street and opens it's new head office.

1965

The company shortens its name to Halfords Limited.

1969

Burmah Oil buys Halfords Limited, meaning the company portfolio now includes 317 stores and begins trials of specialist motor stores.

1971

Halfords Limited moves to a new head office and warehouse in Redditch.

1973

Halfords opens a motor accessories outlet in Bradford and expands to Holland with the purchase of a small Dutch company, managed by Mark Rushbrooke, grandson of the company's original founder.

1975

Mark Rushbrooke returns to the UK for Halfords 'Year of Revival', helping the company to make steady progress and advance after several difficult trading years.

1984

The first Halfords out-of-town superstore opens in Croydon, introducing the new blue, red and white corporate identity.

1989

Halfords Limited is sold to the Ward White Group, which is then acquired by The Boots Company.

1990-2000

Halfords continues to go from strength to strength, generating consistently high sales and establishing itself as a market leader in its field.

New arcade store formats are trialled successfully, leading to the production of sub-shops for Bikehut, Audio, Parts, Touring and Ripspeed.

Halfords introduces many new ranges to its stores, including new in-car technology and camping and leisure ranges.

Halfords first e-commerce store goes live.

2001

Halfords introduces a new orange and black logo and corporate/brand identity.

2002

Halfords is acquired from The Boots Company by CVC Capital Partners.

2004

Halfords is floated on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE Top 250 company.

The first Republic of Ireland store opens in Coolock, Dublin.

2006

Halfords.com is named as the 2nd most visited UK sport and fitness retail website and also becomes the top Halfords store for sales.

2007

Halfords goes multi-channel with the introduction of Reserve & Collect and three new stores opening in the Czech Republic.

2008

Halfords new-look fully-integrated website goes live and a new catalogue ordering service is launched.

2009

Halfords.ie website goes live

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