A WELL-KNOWN home store in Cirencester will mark 35 years this year.

Gardiner Haskins has been operating in Bristol for more than 200 years but opened its Cirencester branch on April 12, 1979 offering customers DIY products, electrical goods, furnishings and more.

The building, based on Lewis Lane, was formerly a garage and petrol station and there were plans to turn it into a supermarket. However, this fell through just in time and Gardiner’s swooped.

Store director Steve Whitcombe said his team were happy and proud to serve the town.

“I hope we continue to serve Cirencester and the surrounding area long into the future. We pride ourselves on the service we can offer and we have a great level of product. We are the only kind of store in the town and I think if we were not here it would be a struggle for the community.”

Steve has worked for the firm for 30 years, including the last 12 months in Cirencester, and said it was just like family to him.

“We are so proud to be part of the Cirencester community and we’re even taking part in the town’s March Hare Festival. It’s exciting to be part of such a big project.”

Gardiner Haskin’s spring sale starts this week.