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AT GARDINER Haskins Cirencester we are celebrating our 40th anniversary this April.

Our Cirencester store first opened its doors on the 12th April 1979 and has been serving the people of Cirencester ever since.

Our members of staff are just as long serving, with the longest in store being office manager Heather Arthurs who joined on the 23rd of June 1980.

Before 68-72 Dyer Street was the home of Gardiner Haskins Homecentre it had a varied past.

The shop floor half of the building used to be a car garage and showroom called Steels.

However, the interesting history of the store lies in the offices which used to house The Bull Inn public house. In the Bull Inn lived a man who trained pigeons including Kenley Lass.

Kenley Lass was awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross in WWII for efforts to convey messages to enemy occupied France.

The store and offices have been rumoured to be haunted for years and to this day any unexplained goings on are blamed on the “ghosts”.

Gardiner Haskins was originally owned by the parent company, Carlton Industries, who wanted to expand following the success of their Bristol store.

They scouted properties in Hereford, Barnstaple, Chippenham and Gloucester before settling on Dyer Street, Cirencester.

A management buyout in 1989 retuned the company back to in to private ownership.

In the 1990’s the freehold of the Cirencester site was purchased, securing it’s long term future and commitment to the Cirencester Community.

During our 40th year, we are fundraising for Maggie’s Cancer Support Centre as our Charity of the Year.

We are supporting Maggie’s as they are a charity close to our heart. Maggie’s supported a member of our DIY staff, Lesley, and her family through her own diagnosis and treatment.

We kicked off fundraising with a charity dance by store manager Richard Newman which raised over £600.

On Saturday 13th April we are hosting a Family Fun Day to both celebrate our 40 years in the Cirencester community and to raise money for Maggie’s.

For more information on our celebrations or our Family Fun Day visit our Facebook page gardinerhaskins.co.uk/GardinerHaskinsCirencester

Our 40th anniversary sale is now on with discounts across the store, including cookware, appliances, furniture, beds, gardening, DIY and garden furniture.