As we start 2025, we thought it would be a lovely idea to write a journal about the history of the store.
Established over 100 years ago, Jobsons of Alnwick has housed a number of businesses, including furniture showrooms, a gentlemans outfitters and latterly R.L. Jobson and son who were saddlers.
H.G. Archbold sold clothing for boys, youths, and men, including ties, fancy vests, and fancy shirts. Archbold’s also offered a line in “indubitable trousers”, tailored in such a way that the wearer would be “easy and graceful in any position”.
Robert Luke Jobson founded his business in Narrowgate and moved to The Tower Showrooms in the 1940s. He sold items to local farmers e.g. binder twine, wire netting, and staples. Horse collars for Clydesdales, saddles, and bridles were made on the premises in the workshop seen in the picture.
At the height of the business, eleven saddlers worked upstairs in the store. The master saddler, the lead saddler and manager of the saddlery team, had the added benefit of living in the house on Hotspur Street that is joined onto the store.
Rumour has it that the premises at Bondgate Within in Alnwick are haunted, and we know of at least one ghost, a young girl called Charlotte, who lives upstairs in the storage attic part of the store. Don't worry though, Rachel the current owner is big on vibes, and she knows that all of the ghosts are friendly and just want the business to continue into the future.
The last Jobsons that ran the business were brothers Cyril and Les Jobson, who also as well as the saddlery, sold country fashion of the day, along with fishing bait and equustrian accessories and saddles, and walking equipment.
The Jobson brothers retired in the year 2000, and the business was bought by Chris and Ali Todd who introduced additional fashion ranges such as Barbour and Seasalt as well as continuing to offer a full equestrian range upstairs in the store.
Rachel Wilson bought the store from the Todds on their retirement in January 2024 and Jobsons became the store that we all know and love today. Rachel has kept the charm and continued with the fantatic customer service that the store has historically been known for, as well as adding her own flair and character to the business. New brands such as Lily & Me, Penelope Chilvers, Only, Pieces and a brand new offer of childrens clothes including Ducky Zebra and Toby Tiger have been seamlessly added to existing favourites of Barbour, Seasalt and Dubarry. Rachel has also added a brand new online offer, meaning that customers from around the globe can, and do, enjoy the fantastic offer from Jobsons from the comfort of their own home.
No two days are ever the same in the store, and we love to meet new and returning customers and sell them some fantastic products with a smile on our faces and a great deal of product knowledge to impart. It's great that we have such a great heritage in the town, and that by buying the business almost excatly a year ago, Rachel is extremely proud that she is able to continue the Jobsons legacy for what will hopefully be many years to come.
With best wishes for the forthcoming year
Much love
Rachel and the Jobsons team
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