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Meet the new owners of Farsley DIY shop – as much-loved couple retire after 42 years

A popular couple are retiring after 42 years of running their hardware store in Farsley.

Homeconomy, on Town Street, has been loved and owned by Helen and Glenn Parker since 1982, selling everything from pencil sharpeners to step ladders.

The business has survived some really tough economic times – including recessions and the Covid pandemic – and after two years of being for sale it has been bought by a new couple called Chris and Gaynor Preston-Routledge.

Although Helen and Glenn are looking forward to retirement and carrying out DIY at home, they are both still heavily involved at Homeconomy as they hand over the business to the new owners.

Helen told WLD: “I am so happy that a lovely and kind couple has taken the business on. We have built the place up for 42 years. We know that it is going to stay the same traditional store it is now, as well as looking to the future.

“We’ve loved it here. The people of Farsley are really lovely, and it’s always been a busy – it’s a good little shop.”

Helen recalls the story of htheir marriage in 1984 – they married on a Tuesday as it was a half-day closing for the shop.

“I will miss the customers without any shadow of a doubt,” she added. “Over 42 years we have got to know different generations – the grandparents, their children and the grandchildren.”

Gaynor, who runs Allura Furnishings at nearby Cape Mills in Coal Hill Lane, said: “I have lived in Farsley all my life and always thought it would be nice to run a shop. I also restore furniture, and we’ve always come here to buy things I need for that business. It’s always had everything we needed.

“Every so often I would look at shops to buy and one day I went ‘oh!’ as soon as I saw this place popped up.”

Gaynor has fond memories of the place. “I always knew if Helen and Glenn didn’t have it in the shop then they would know where to get it, and if they didn’t know where to get it then it probably didn’t exist!

“This place is like a Tardis when you come in, every inch is filled with stock, and every room upstairs is full of stock, too! It’s a real Aladdin’s cave. There is stuff everywhere, often up to the ceilings upstairs.”

Gaynor and Chris aim to keep the business as it is now. “It doesn’t feel real while they are both still here helping us – it doesn’t feel like it’s ours yet. The number of people who have come in to wish us well and to wish Helen and Glenn well has been unbelievable.”

Homeconomy will be open seven, rather than six days a week. Check out its website here.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Such good news that this shop will continue to be the Aladdins Cave of Farsley. Long may it continue, as we have such a great set of family businesses in our high street.

  2. Luna is so cute, I love dogs dogs are my favourite. When I go in I shall definitely, say hello to Luna first I hope she is there. The others look nice too, most people with dogs are nice.

  3. So sad that Helen and Glenn (& family) are leaving us, they will be sorely missed but we welcome Luna and new owners . May they live long and prosper

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