Have you ever wondered?
The other day in the Post Office, a man turning to leave said to a friend still waiting, "I’ll see you in Ken’s." We all know and rely on the two Ken’s shops near the Market Square but how many of us wonder how they came to be here. …. And who is Ken anyway ….. where is he now? So for those who don’t know, here’s the low down …..
His name full name is Ken Stone. He was born in Bargate and later lived in Belper where he worked as a knitter in the Brettles’ hosiery factory. Called up to do his National Service, he served as a Tank Navigator, in Germany. His military service completed, he returned to the Hosiery Trade where he worked for 15 years.
Ken started the Wirksworth business in 1968, in premises north of the Market Square, now known as "Top Ken’s". What we now call "Bottom Ken’s" used to belong to their main competitor - Bagnall’s family grocery store.
Top Ken’s was leased from a landlord who had bought property from the Receiver for about £4000 when the Co-op went bust in the 1960s. These properties included Ryde’s Butchers, the Past Masters bookshop, the hairdressers, Adam’s Apple, the Coach House and numerous flats: properties that went behind the shops and right around to the car park on The Dale.
It was after his National Service in 1954 that Ken married Mary and eventually joined her brother’s business, Ray’s Mini Market. They had shops in Ashbourne, Belper and Wirksworth. When Ken decided to work by himself he chose to take on the shop in Wirksworth and it became "Ken’s Mini Market". When the shop first opened, Ken gave away free chickens to any customer spending over £5. Some people who remember this and still are shopping at Ken’s today.
Ken and Mary had three children: Philip born in 1959, Robert, in 1962, and Jane in 1966. All have worked for Ken since leaving school. Phil considered going to University but chose self-employment. Robert wanted to be a racing cyclist. One day his father asked him to come and help unload a van and he’s been doing it ever since. Though he does get in some cycling, there is no time for serious training – he’s too busy unloading vans. Ken’s daughter, Jane, at the age of age of nine, with 2 big brothers around, took to wearing a sign: "I AM A GIRL". After school she nearly took up nursery nurse training but decided it was preferable to earn wages in her father’s business!
By 1984 they were ready to expand the business. Ken bought the bottom shop from Oswald Bagnall. On the first opening day in 1984, customers were offered a glass of sherry. One lady appreciated it so well that she kept coming back for more - eventually someone had to take her home!
Originally three properties, Bottom Ken’s has undergone two major refits, in 1990 and 1999. With the expansion, for the first time they began to sell alcohol, fresh fruit and vegetables, cooked meats and cheeses. It has meant adapting to a changing market and different shopping patterns.
Ken’s wife, Mary, died in 1991 and he became semi-retired in 1992. For the next year, before he retired completely in 1993, Ken worked in the top shop only and since that time Phil, Robert and Jane have managed the business together. Though they enjoy it, it is very demanding work.. They used to close for a ½ day on Wednesdays and all day on Sundays. The hours of opening were 9 to 5.30. Now for 6 days the shop is open from 8.30 am to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 9 am to 6 p.m. Altogether now there are 12 full-time staff and some part-time students. Goods have to be fetched from Cash and Carry three days a week by van and there are deliveries to be unloaded every day.
Ken’s two sons have two daughters and his daughter has two sons. Phil, Robert and Jane do regret not having enough time to be with the children, to go cycling or just to sit and relax. When you have your own business it is on your mind all the time, even when on holiday. But on the whole they enjoy it. They like meeting people and having a laugh with them. Wirksworth is a happy place to be.
But now we all know who Ken is, where is he? Now 75 years old he still lives in Belper with his partner Jill. Until Spring 2004 he was in excellent health but then suffered a brain haemorrhage. However, he is now making a very good recovery and enjoys meeting customers. He is amazed at the vast range of goods now for sale and how customers’ needs have changed since he ran the business.
