THE centenary of a local firm was being celebrated in the Malvern Gazette 50 years ago.

Older readers will remember Kendall and Co Ltd, on the corner of Church Street and Graham Road.

Described in 1952 as a "drapery concern with its well-dressed windows and spacious and colourful showrooms", it was founded in 1852 by David Kendall.

The firm was evidently the kind of independent, family-founded department store which every reasonably prosperous provincial town could support in the days before out-of-town shopping and identical High Streets.

Following the Second World War, the business had begun to expand again, reopening its millinery workshop, a "junior miss" department and a toy shop.

The Gazette reported:"Throughout the long period of a century of training, it has been, and still is today, the aim of those in control that this business should supply the very best value in merchandise at the most reasonable prices and to give service and education to every customer."