1888
T H Baker was founded in 1888 by Thomas Henry Baker, a watchmaker and jeweller from Calne in Wiltshire. The business
was purchased at 95 High Street, Brierley Hill, which is still open today.
1915
Thomas Henry Baker's daughter Phillis and her husband, Frank Higgs, bought the business in 1915. They had three
sons and a daughter.
1916 - 30
The trading years between 1916 and 1930 were very difficult, struggling through the First World War and then the
depression of the 1920's.
1931 - 38
During the period between 1931 and 1938, Mr. F.H. Higgs, grandson of Thomas Henry Baker, qualified as an Optician
and joined the business together with his younger brother Rupert.
1939 -1945
Between 1939 and 1945 all three brothers served their country during the Second World War, and thankfully returned
safely home to once again drive the business forward.
1945 - 52
Two further branches were opened in Walsall and Wolverhampton between 1945 & 1952.
1952
In 1952, T.H. Baker & Company (Est.1888) Limited was formed.
1953 - 72
Over the next twenty years between 1953 - 1972, further branches were opened with some proving more
successful than others.
1973
Alan Higgs, great grandson of Thomas Henry Baker, joined the Company this year. He had qualified as a Chartered
Accountant and was appointed company secretary.
1987
Upon the retirement of Alan's father, F H Higgs, and both of his uncles, he was appointed Managing Director in 1987.
1988
1988 was the Company's Centenary year and also the year in which Alan bought out the other shareholders in the
Company, making him the sole owner of the business.
2001
2001 was the Company's first occasion where a store was bought outside the central part of England.
The store purchased was in Horsham and is now one of our most successful stores for Swiss watch brands.
2002
A further store in the South East of England was added in 2002, located in Brighton.
2004 - 5
Both Great Great Grandson's of Thomas Henry Baker joined the Company, becoming the 5th generation
to carry on the family business.
2005
Andrew Higgs, great great grandson of Thomas Henry Baker, joined the Company this year. He had qualified
as a Chartered Accountant and was appointed company secretary (following in his father's footsteps)
The Watch Hut and The Jewel Hut websites were established in October 2005 just in time for the first
Christmas trading period. Both websites started with questionable success - little did we know what a useful
part of the business the internet would become.
2007
T H Baker Group company was formed to safe guard the future of the family business.
2008 And Onwards
T H Baker has recently gone through major changes and developments; these are all still
ongoing and further updates will be added soon to the website. |
