about-us
ABOUT US

We are a fourth generation family business trading from the same site on Bridge Street Warrington since founded in 1914.

Hancock & Wood has been developed and expanded over the years to meet the changing demands of our customers and now combines the best traditions of service with modern flair.

Susie (pictured above) is now the fourth generation of the Hancock family to take the helm at H & W , bringing a fresh approach to the merchandising  and marketing within the Store

The Hancock family is proud that Hancock & Wood continues to offer the traditional values of an independent business.

OUR HISTORY

1914

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The business was started by Mr Frederick Hancock and Mr David Wood.

Frederick Hancock brought David Wood into the company to manage the store whilst he was away fighting in the First World War with the Royal Marines.

Soon after Frederick Hancock returned from the war David Wood retired.
Frederick then married Irene Roberts whose family ran the next door business – R Roberts shoe shop!

1933

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Hancock & Wood originally occupied the left hand half of the present building but with the business going from success to success, the store expanded into the whole of the present frontage in 1933.

1947

A series of further expansions took place towards the present market at the rear of the store, particularly after Frederick’s son David Hancock joined the company in 1947, following service with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War.

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Hancock & Wood’s store can be seen on the right hand side in this general view of Bridge Street in 1950.

1960's

The Little Shop in Stockton Heath was opened in the early 1960s and proved to be a popular addition to the Hancock & Wood business, especially benefitting from the significant development of the village into the shopping centre of choice for an expanding, discerning and affluent South Warrington population.

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Bridge Street in Warrington has on more than one occasion been said to be one of the finest examples of a Victorian / Edwardian shopping street in Cheshire. Look above street level and some wonderful civic gems are visible.

As a result of one improvement scheme, co-ordinated by Warrington Civic Society, Queen Elizabeth II visited Bridge Street in 1968.

1980's

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Many visitors to Warrington will remember when Hancock & Wood had the arcade.

A new roof extension was built in the 1980s which now accomodates our Halo & Blush Hair Salon.

2000's

The Store lost the arcade to make room for floor space and this is how it looks today.

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2013: David Hancock sadly passed away on the 4th November aged 90. He’d seen the Store and Warrington change hugely during his lifetime and unfortunately just missed our centenary.

2014

100-years

A very proud moment for us as we hit our 100th Birthday. We celebrated the milestone with various events throughout 2014 and displayed nostalgic photos of the store from the last century.