The Full Story
Back in 1885
Biddle & Son
Biddle and sons was founded in 1885 by Charles Biddle, a printer from Alton, the business occupied a small corner shop in Martyr Road, producing printed stationery for local shop keepers. From here Charles and his son Leonard continued to grow the company. In 1894 Charles retired and died in 1905, the business continued to trade under the watchful eye of Leonard and eventually, his three sons. Biddles and Sons soon became Biddles Ltd. The company also had two shops in the High Street, one at no 12 and one at no 218.
Building the business
Back in 1923, they laid the foundation for their business on Martyr Road, just a hundred yards from where it all began. The new premises combined a stationery store on the ground floor with state-of-the-art printing equipment on the first and second floors.
During World War II, the Air Ministry recognized the factory's potential and commandeered it to manufacture aircraft components.
After the war, the business rose to new heights and continued to grow from its base on Martyr Road until 1989.
To the present day
Since we moved to Ward Street, Biddles has undergone several name changes due to mergers, restructuring, and acquisitions. However, at its core, the shop remains the same, providing high-quality products at fair prices, just as it did many years ago.
Back in the1970s Neal Heaven took the helm as its manager. In1988, Straker Office Supplies purchased the stationery business, and David Goddard joined the team in 1991. We traded uninterrupted until 2020 the pandemic struck, and the company faced the threat of administration. Despite this setback, Neal and David, the managers, refused to give up. They secured the stock and shop premises, and in July 2020, with the help of a successful crowdfunding campaign, they reopened the doors to customers.
Today, Biddles welcomes its customers with the same familiar faces and knowledgeable staff. The shop's improved range of stock offers customers an even better shopping experience than before. If you happen to be in Guildford, we invite you to visit us on Ward Street, where you'll find the same old Biddles values of quality, service, and a warm welcome. Let us assist you with all your stationery needs.