OUR WELSH HERITAGE Since its origin in the late 19th century, the family-run firm of ‘Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins’ has grown from a one-man operation into Wales’ leading furniture retailer. As we celebrate 125 years in Business with this commemorative feature we would like to thank all of our customers old and new for your continued support keeping us in business all these years, we hope you enjoy our story of how we became what we are today. Pictured left: Arthur Llewelyn Jenkins
FIRST SHOP It was back in 1890 when Thomas Jenkins, following a serious accident at the local colliery, made the decision to start his own business. Selling oil, carpets & other wares, his horse-drawn wagon became a familiar sight around the areas in the west of Swansea & the business was soon a household name. He continued running the business until the end of the First World War & when his eldest son returned from war service, he retired – although he still continued to play an active part in the business until his death in 1937. The eldest son who took over the business was Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins ~ whose name the firm still bears today. While continuing to develop the existing business, in 1933 Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins also opened a furniture showroom in Carlton Buildings, Oxford Street, Swansea. He still maintained the longestablished, excellent door-to-door service throughout the west of Swansea although by this time, the horse-drawn wagon had been replaced by electrically-operated vans! Following his death in 1945, the business continued to be run by his two daughters until his eldest son, William Arthur Jenkins, returned from war service. Pictured Top right: First store in Fforestfach, founded by Thomas Jenkins. Right: During the 1970’s Arthur Llewelyn Jenkins aquired the premises of Lloyds in Landore
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