| JN Barber LTD awarded overall winner of Otley Carnival window dressing competition Tuesday 17th June 2014
Each year, Otley holds an annual carnival. To celeberate the ocassion, the shops in the town decorate their windows and are entered into the annual window dressing competition. This year we are pleased to have been awarded the "Overall Winner" of the competion. With the Tour De France coming through Otley in a couple of weeks we chose to use the race as our theme. The window features a handmade knitted bike which was created by Angela, Lauren and Alicia. |
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New Savinelli Pipes Now Available Monday 16th June 2014
Following James and Alicia Barber's visit to the Savinelli factory in May we are pleased to announce we have now taken delivery of 18 brand new ranges of Savinelli pipes. This is the first time these pipes have been available on the UK market. | |
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| James and Alicia visit Savinelli in Italy Monday 12th May - Friday 16th May
James recently visited the Savinelli factory in Molina di Barasso, the Varese province, north of Milan, Italy. As part of her training and introduction to the business.
Alicia and James visited three different pipe factories in northern Italy to increase her knowledge and understanding of the complex process of making a pipe.
The highlight of the four day trip was the visit to Savinelli where she was able to see the full process from block to pipe.
Whilst Alicia took a tour of the factory, James selected some high grade Savinelli pipes so watch this space.
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Otley - The Road to ParisTour De France passes through Otley on Saturday 5th July 2014
We are ecstatic to announce we will be on the route of the Tour De France in July 2014.
As the third largest sporting event in the world, 12 million spectators are expected to line the route which will be broadcast to 190 countries.
The Tour de France Grand Départ will start at 11.10am on the Headrow in Leeds, on Saturday 5 July 2014. It is expected to pass through Otley at 12.13pm. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled, as the race will be going straight past our retail shop!
For more information about the event, including accomodation advice and road closure information, please visit: www.otleytdf.co.uk
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| Wharfedale Observer, Friday 3rd January 2014 Alicia is fifth generation to join family business
A family-run business that began in Otley nearly 150 years ago is looking forward to starting the new year from a much bigger base.
Barbers Tobacconist and Artamis Gifts recently increased the size of its store by almost 50 per cent, making it one of the towns biggest independent retailers, with more than 4,000 sq ft of floorspace, The expansion has involved transforming the Westgate shops former warehouse space into a sales area for gifts, home furnishings, antiques and childrens clothing.
The tobacconist side of the business was founded in Otley in 1867 by current owner James Barbers great grandfather, Joseph. Mr Barber hopes the larger shop will allow it to grow and prosper for many more years to come.
He said: "The business has been in our family for five generations now. Its safe to say that its in my blood!"
One of the best things about the expansion is that it retains all of the traditions of the tobacconist whilst offering new additions such as furniture and giftware.
We want to build and grow the business without straying from its heritage, which has been part of the local community for nearly 150 years.
Mr Barbers wife Angela, the co-owner, added: "Were really excited about the expansion. Its a real treasure trove of unique giftware.Were proud to be part of the local community. There are some great independent businesses in the area."
Three new members of staff have been recruited to support the expanded business, whose online shop sells and sends specialist gifts to customers around the world.
Mr and Mrs Barbers daughter, Alicia, has also joined the business the fifth generation of the family to be involved and is responsible for marketing the company and helping to run its website.
She said: Im really proud to be joining the family business. Theres so much history behind it. Hopefully Ill bring something new to the role and it will remain in the family for generations to come.
The original part of the shop continues to operate as a traditional tobacconist, a trade whose origins lie in Joseph Barbers 19th Century trips to the USA where, after tending the land for five years, he bought two plots in Virginia and Kentucky.
After setting up tobacco plantations, Mr Barber crossed the Atlantic more than 30 times as he continued to visit his plantations and import tobacco to England.
James Barber, who took over the business in 1980, started trading on the internet in 1997 and moved to the new location on Westgate in 2007, when he also rebranded the business as Barbers Tobacconist and Artamis Gifts.
The family is looking forward to celebrating the firms 150th anniversary in 2017.
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