The History of Harts
Every generation makes a mark
Philip has always had his eye on the next big thing and,
with that in mind, in the early ’90s, Harts took its first
tentative steps into mail order. Some early success gave
us the encouragement we needed, and our first trading
website was launched in 1995, one of the first operational
and trading sites anywhere in the country. We even
featured in the Daily Telegraph.
This proved successful, but it was driving forward without
a proper direction for a year or two, until Philip’s two sons
left university, and joined the family firm. Johnathan and
Graham were able to bring a much greater understanding
of the modern, technological world. The internet business
has grown very rapidly, becoming a well respected,
national award-winning enterprise.
A purpose-built 60,000 square-foot dispatch centre
was completed in 2010, and a new suite of sales offices
shortly after in 2013, both designed to give our mail order
customers the same level of service and efficiency that our
store customers have enjoyed for so many years. Graham
has three daughters, while Johnathan has a son, so the
next generation is all lined up!
The rest of the family
Harts exhibited at all the major country and agricultural
shows in the UK. This pictures shows their stand at the
Royal Bath & West Show sometime during the 1970s.
Slightly closer to home, this picture is of their
stand at the Shaftesbury & Gillingham Show,
again sometime in the 1970s.
We now employ over 40 staff, all of whom are dedicated
to our ‘family business’ ethos that has always garnered
both customer and staff loyalty. We call them our extended
family – some have worked here for over 25 years, and
all are friends as well as colleagues. Our family business
is built on our lovely staff, and they all play an important
part in our past, and our future.
A Hart & Sons lorry loaded up and ready for another delivery.
Kitchen Magazine isn’t Harts first foray into
publishing. This brochure advertised the range of
farm equipment they manufactured.
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www.hartsofstur.com