An historic hardware shop in Bradford on Avon is returning to its original name after two new directors took over this week.

Matthew Webb and James Vincent, from the nearby garden centre Avonfield Gardens, reopened J Alex Browns on Saturday after the shop, originally called Allin Engineering, closed in August this year. The shop in Silver Street was started as an ironmonger by John Brown in 1853 and continued under his son John Alexander Brown. Mr Vincent, who is the fifth generation of his family to live in Bradford on Avon, said: “When the store closed people thought we had lost it, that it was too late. But we thought if we rally round and muster the strength, we can save it. There was always going to be support from the local community for whoever took it over.

“I can remember all the old businesses in the town and it is nice we now have the opportunity to take this historical business on.”

Mr Webb said: “It is the right time. People are starting to go against the big stores. The town is developing, with new shops opening and The Vaults opening behind us. This part of Bradford on Avon seems to be coming alive again.

“The service we provide at the garden centre will be extended to here. We will bring things across from the garden centre or take things up there for customers and we will still deliver to customers.”