Shipston business is one of the oldest in town centre
ONE of Shipston’s oldest businesses has moved into the fourth generation.
John Rutter, whose grandfather Ernest opened the traditional menswear shop in Market Place, has been joined by his daughter Sarah.
EH Spencer stocks jackets, gilets, trousers, shirts, pullovers, socks, boots, shoes, hats, scarves, gloves and pyjamas.
It’s also a go-to for country pursuits clothing such as riding boots and coats plus women’s country wear, sandals, shoes, slippers and handbags.
A Clarks stockist for 85 years, it also offers a popular shoe-fitting service for children.
Sarah, who has a business degree and worked for well-known footwear firms Hotter and Rohde, used to work in the family shop as a Saturday girl when younger.
Now in her early 30s, she’s mum to the fifth generation – toddler Penny.
The roots of the business go back to 1902 when John Spencer opened a shop in the town’s High Street, while living above what’s now the Market Place store.
A few years later, he left retail to farm and the firm became Spencer Bros, run by his two younger brothers Frank and Ernest.
That changed in 1929, when Frank carried on trading in the High Street and Ernest set up shop in the current Market Place location.
Ernest’s middle name was Herbert, which is where the EH of the shop name comes from.
When Ernest died in 1965, the business was taken over by his daughter Margaret and her husband Keith Rutter – John’s parents.
The family business also includes J Rutter & Son farming business with 500 acres of grass which supplies hay and silage to equestrian businesses.
As well as customers from a wide catchment who call into the Shipston shop in person, EH Spencer’s also has a thriving mail order side with customers across the UK and abroad.
And since Sarah’s been back, she’s boosted online sales and is using social media to raise awareness.
John, who lives on the family farm in Honington, said: “It’s all about service - it’s not a nine-to-five business, we live the job.
“I’ve known a lot of the customers all my life and when we get farmers in the shop, we speak their language.
“One told me six generations of his family have shopped in EH Spencer.”
The 63-year-old, who has no plans to retire, added: “This is my social life.
“I live in the middle of nowhere, so I come in here to catch up with everyone.”
