“Family businesses on High Streets are becoming a rare sight nowadays, but our success is thanks to our loyal customers in Salisbury and the tourists who continue to shop with us. It’s for this reason that we are celebrating 60 years of business by giving our customers a commemorative shopping bag” said Nicola Saddler (nee Harding), owner of Harding’s at Fifty Six High Street.
“I’m also very grateful to my team. They all work hard and without them I wouldn’t be able to open the door tomorrow,” Nicola added
The independent business is celebrating two milestones: 125 years of family ownership and 60 years as a Post Office.
Just 30m from the cathedral’s 13th century gate, Harding’s gift shop is home to the last- post office in the city centre.
To mark the occasion and to thank people for their support, customers are given a commemorative jute shopping bag when spending over £10 ( while stocks last).
“I’m immensely proud to be able to continue our family business and to celebrate our history and achievements over the generations.
In 1895, cabinet maker (Richard Harding) bought 56 High Street from a shoemaker (Bernard Newman). Richard and his son (Leo Harding) ran a successful antiques business: 65 years later in 1960, Leo’s daughter (Leonora) opened the current post office and gift shop with her Polish husband; a retired RAF fighter pilot. When her husband died, Leonora reverted to her maiden name of Harding, and with her son Peter named the business Harding’s.
Leonora and Peter worked together for many years but when Leonora retired, Peter’s daughter Nicola joined. They ran the business together until his retirement in 2010.
Nicola now runs the family business and employs eight staff. She’s the fifth generation to run a business at 56 High Street, and is the third generation of postmasters there.