Shops / News
Community welcomes reopening of ‘oldest shop in Bristol’
The closure of W.H Mogford & Son in September 2025 prompted an outpouring of support, solidarity and sadness, as the shop that had stood the test of time for some 160 years was no more.
The shop on Westbury-on-Trym, first an ironmonger and later a hardware shop, had long been a hub of the community before its closure.
For some, W.H Mogford & Son is Bristol’s oldest independent shop – but it is, without a doubt, one of the oldest.
Fast forward to March 2026, and rescue has arrived in the form of another hardware shop owner, Ben Hann.
Ben Hann said he is acutely aware of the “weight of history” on his shoulders as he steers Mogford’s into its third chapter
Hann, who runs Cotham Hardware, has welcomed the new venture.
Cotham Hardware itself carries a legacy of 110 years, but Hann said he is acutely aware of the “weight of history” on his shoulders as he steers Mogford’s into its third chapter.
It was run by Paul Gillam and his wife Barbara since 2004, but the shop had deeper roots still.
Paul’s involvement stretched back more than 30 years, working alongside John Wiltshire, who was married into the original Mogford family.
With the involvement of Sophie, Paul’s daughter, the shop developed a strong social media presence, reaching a broad and varied audience.
Less than an hour into its reopning, Mogford’s has received a slew of customers and well-wishers
Despite a spike in trade after the first lockdown, Mogford’s could not sustain losses brought on by the pandemic, alongside pressure from online platforms and wholesale depots such as Stax and TradePoint.
And the inevitable happened, much to the sadness of the community.
Hann said: “I know, because of Cotham, how important the community feels about these kinds of shops.
“They’re really important. I saw the outcry when Paul had to close down Mogford’s.
“Already, we’ve had so many people coming in saying how delighted they are that we’re up and running and open again. So yeah, they matter – they’re important shops for the community. This is a real hub.”
When Bristol24/7 entered the newly refurbished and freshly stocked shop, less than an hour after opening, there was already an air of excitement, with Hann and shop assistant Mike raising a toast with members of the Westbury-on-Trym Society.
Hilary Long, former chair of the society described the reopening as “the herald of the resurrection traders have been waiting for”.
Andrew Renshaw, chair of the Westbury-on-Trym Society, welcomed the reopening of Mogford’s
Speaking to Bristol24/7, current chairman Andrew Renshaw said: “Westbury needs a little bit of confidence for traders at this time.
“We lost Mogford’s back in September, and it was a very bad day, given that Mogford’s had been here for 160 years.
“Now they’re back, it’s a spring in the step for everybody, I think, and should encourage those traders who are thinking about whether they’re going to stay in business in Westbury or not.”
W.H Mogford & Son is back on the high street with a replenished stock and new ownership
Alongside traditional hardware offerings – power tools, nuts and bolts, paint and gardening equipment – the shop also stocks kitchen appliances, notably from Judge.
The shop is not at the mercy of capricious landlords, with Hann’s business partner, John Cox, owning the building.
A hardware shop with a 160-year legacy, rescued by a counterpart with a 110-year history, might seem like a neat ending to a long-running saga of uncertainty. But as Mr Noah Levenstein in American Pie might say, “it is perfectly normal”.
The shop on Westbury-on-Trym, first an ironmonger and later a hardware store, has become a community hub
All photos: Milan Perera
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