history

1937Tony Wilkinson born.❜❜FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN A LEICESTER STREETTO OVER 300 STORES AND A £1 BILLION TURNOVER,THIS IS THE REMARKABLE STORY OF WILKINSONS.I always like tolook people in theeye and know inmy heart thatthey are gettinga good deal.❜❜James Kemsey Wilkinson,founder1914World War Iis declared.1918World War Iends.JK’s brother Donald had his ownhardware business in Birmingham:Wilkinson (Handsworth) Brothersconsisting of 4 stores. In itsearly days Handsworth brothershelped Wilkinsons with stock andultimately 2 Handsworth storesbecame Wilkinsons stores.1930 JK and his fiancée MaryCooper open the first WilkinsonCash Store at 151, CharnwoodStreet, Leicester.The BBCstartsbroadcastingits firstregular TVservice.1932 A secondshop opens inWigston Magna,Leicester.1934 JK and Maryare married at 8am on22 October at St PetersChurch, Highfields,Leicester. The coupleare both back in theshop by 11am.1937 JK’s brother Johnjoins him as a director ofWilkinsons, holding thefort during the war years.“Mr John”, as he was known,worked with Wilkinsons untilhis death in 1956.1938-9 Wilkinsons secures premises inSyston, including offices and warehousing.Six more stores open by 1939.The first purpose-builtwarehouse opens onBrighton Road, Leicester.1938Supermanwas born.1939WorldWar II isdeclared.1906 James Kemsey Wilkinson was born.He would be known to many simply as ‘JK’.1920193019311932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939