Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Halfords Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Rushbrooke, Frederick W
  • Rushbrooke & Co
  • Halford Cycle Co Ltd
  • Burmah Oil Co Ltd
  • Halfords Group Plc
  • Ward White Group
  • Boots & Co Plc

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, West Midlands, England

Sectors:

  • Distribution - wholesaling, broking, market trading, etc Bicycle & components distribution
  • Distribution - retailing Bicycle & motorcycle retailing & repairing
  • Distribution - wholesaling, broking, market trading, etc Ironmongery, tools, holloware, hardware, stoves, grates, etc, distribution
  • Distribution - retailing Motor vehicle & accessories retailing & repairing

Notes:

Traces origins to 1892 when established by Frederick W Rushbrooke, 1861-1953, as Rushbrooke & Co, a hardware wholesaling business at Birmingham. By 1900 specialising in cycle parts and shortly after opened first retail cycle accessories/parts outlet at Leicester, trading as Halford Cycle Co. Soon opened branches in other major cities and by c1904 had nine branches. Incorporated 1907 as Halford Cycle Co Ltd after which wholesaling division wound down. By 1939 had 236 stores. 1969 acquired by Burmah Oil Co Ltd. Subsequently several owners including ward White Group in 1983, Boots & Co Plc from 1991. Floated 2004 as Halfords Group Plc which continues in 2012 as the largest UK retailers of cycles and motor accessories, etc

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