OLD FASHIONED COURTESY and service still survives when you call at one of the longest established shops in Bourne. Visiting the town’s oldest retailer is just like taking a step back in time as Smith’s Grocers in North Street, celebrates 140 years of trading.

Four generations of Smith’s have run the business which prides itself on traditional family values. Way back in November 1857, John Smith, who came from a Claypole family background, started a grocery business at 25, North Street, with the help of his father. John later married Elizabeth Peasgood, a lady from a well known local family.

“The shop passed onto my grandfather Charles Aquila Smith and then to my father John Charles Smith”, said proprietor John Annible Smith.

All through the years the shop has maintained its charm and olde worlde character with wooden shelves packed with products and at one time groceries delivered by a boy on a bicycle.

Years ago most goods were weighed and bagged, now all goods are pre-packaged. “Until the Second World War, local farmers would even bring butter to the shop which in turn would go to Nottingham for sale. Thursday was a very big market day in the town - at one time the shop would provide meals for the farmers visiting the market,” John recalls.

Modern methods have reduced the staff employed from 20 to just four, including John’s wife, Judy. “Everything from treacle, sugar, flour, you name it, had to be weighed out and packed, we needed such large staff to cope”, said former town mayor John who started in l959 at the shop soon after his National Service.

Carriers would deliver goods as far north as Billingborough and down to the Deepings and the family lived on the premises, in a part cordoned off by a curtain!

There was even a sister shop in a small cottage at Edenham which started in l880. Following a fire in 1912, it moved to a house opposite the church which traded until ten years ago.

John Smith has continued to trade in the conventional grocery lines but more recently has developed the range of specialist goods on offer. “We have extended the more luxury lines such as fine foods, continental chocolates, glazed fruits, along with a range of wines and spirits", he said.

John was trained at the Cadbury Retail College and is also a Master Member of the Institute of Grocery Distribution. He is also very knowledgeable when it comes to wines and spirits - the shop now boasts over 200 different malt whiskies making it the largest stockist in south Lincolnshire and John Smith is also listed alongside Fortnum and Mason and Selfridges in the Malt Whiskey File, the connoisseurs guide to malt whiskies.

With the shop carrying more of the luxury food lines, another service on offer is the preparation of hampers and gift parcels.

“They are becoming more and more popular for presents and not only at Christmas", he explained. "Given a few days notice, we can pack you anything from a small basket to a large £100 hamper."

To commemorate 140 years in business there will be several special events, including tastings, samplings and competitions along with some exceptional offers on various goods and alcohol beverages. On Sunday, November 2, from 12 noon why not pop along to a Black Adder malt whiskey tasting. The following Sunday, November 9, at 12 noon you can have the choice of tasting eight different bottled beers, from traditional brewers Samuel Smiths. There will also be ongoing tastings including Cropwell Bishop Stilton cheese.