Kirby & West - The Dairy On Your Doorstep

June 5th 2008

Using a local landmark to celebrate a landmark date seemed like a nice touch for two of Leicester's oldest businesses - particularly when they realised that landmark was built in the same year as them.

So when commercial property agent Andrew and Ashwell and doorstep delivery service Kirby and West prepared to toast each other's 140^th anniversaries this month, what better place to do it than Leicester's Clock Tower?

Only one thing stood in their way - the tower was cordoned off while extensive repaving and regeneration work took place in the city centre. But the two enduring local businesses wouldn't have lasted as long as they have if they allowed a little thing like that to shelve their plans. So, champagne in hands, they made their way to its condons, found a comfortable spot, and raised their glasses to its impressive height.

1868 - the year that renowned explorer Robert Scott and Scottish architect / designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh were born - saw the formation of the two local businesses that would make a lasting impression on the area's business sector. It was also the year in which  local architect Joseph Goddard completed construction of the Clock Tower on the site of the ancient corn and coal markets.

"The Clock Tower is a central part of Leicester and we wanted to toast its formation at the same time as our own. We thought we'd take advantage of our good weather to celebrate," explained Jon Archer, Partner, Andrew and Ashwell.

Graham Smith, Managing Director, Kirby and West agreed. "We're proud of our Leicester heritage, and have had tremendous support from the town's companies and residents over the years, so sharing such a noteable birthday with one its most noteable landmarks was something we couldn't allow to pass by."

Like the Clocktower, which will be in a new environment when it is finally freed from its cordons, both Kirby and West and Andrew and Ashwell have undergone noteable changes recently.

Last year Kirby and West, which has been in the Smith family for four generations, took the difficult decision to close its dairy at Richard III Road and concentrate on the delivery side of the business, in response to changing consumer trends. In the past six months, it has introduced a number of new lines and diversified to continue operating as a successful business. The start of 2008 also saw Graham take over from his father Brian as the company's MD.

Both Andrew and Ashwell and Kirby and West have files and albums full of old photographs and documents spanning the 140 years - all of which have been retained in impressive cellars and archives.