Fords of Oakham, Company

It was George Ford who began Ford’s success story when he moved from his home in the West Country to Oakham in Rutland. For the first five years he worked as an upholsterer for John Royce whose premises were on Church Street. Five years later George decided to branch out on his own using his skills as an upholsterer together with French Polishing and Cabinet Making. Originally operating from his home in Penn Street it was not until the family moved to Church Street that George built his first shop. Over the course of time the business expanded to include house removals and storage, also funeral services, both of which used horse drawn wagons. George’s wife and four sons continued to run the business after his death in 1914 and in 1953 the business passed to Heugh Ford. Heugh’s daughter Rosemary and son-in-law John White joined the business in 1955. During this time many buildings were bought in Church Street as the business continued to expand. In 1967 the current glass fronted shop was built on the site of the original cottage and shop and the now well established business offered a wide range of products and services. Today, Ford’s is run by Rosemary’s son, Robert White, and daughter, Sue Green, and employs in excess of 30 staff including Robert’s son, Richard. These three being the directors of Ford’s of Oakham. In recent time major construction works have provided new offices and a stockroom and enabled expansion of the toy and housewares departments. Together with a wide range of toys and housewares, Ford’s also offers lingerie, menswear, beds and bedding and a substantial china and gift department, offering gifts and collectables to suit every occasion. With the addition of an increasingly popular gift wrapping service together with the in-store Toymaster Saving Club, Ford's remain dedicated to providing a first class service for their customers. Ford’s continues to provide a funeral service.