Leekes - History

History

James Henry Leeke established Leekes as a blacksmith in Tonypandy in the Rhondda Valley, Wales in 1897. James Leeke initially operated a smithy for sharpening tools at the rear of the house and then opened a small ironmongery business in the front room.

The Leekes business survived the following two decades intact and James’ son Llewellyn took over the business from his father in 1933 at the age of 22. In 1948 Llewellyn bought a larger shop in Dunraven street, Tonypandy which is still trading today. At this time the ironmonger and builders merchant was operated almost entirely by the family.

In the late 60s Llewellyn’s son Gerald joined the business full-time and extended the range at Dunraven street and established kitchen and bathrooms displays. They took over the shop next door for an additional showroom. In 1965 the company turnover had reached £38,000 and the old goods yard station in Trelaw, Rhondda was acquired for expansion, combining the retail premises and builders yard with some car parking.

Leekes bought a site in Talbot Green and opened a store in 1977 labelled as its first “DIY superstore.”

In 2007 eldest son of Llewellyn, David Leeke wrote an account of the development of the Welsh business from the boom in the coal industry, through the Depression and two World Wars to the 21st century.

In 2009 Leekes bought out Midlands based Cole's Home Furnishing thus creating 3 new stores in England.

In 2011 Proposals have been made to have a new store built on the existing site in Talbot Green to coincide with the new town centre scheme which will be located on the current Leekes and Steadler factory sites. The development will also include a supermarket, hotel and cinema, as well as other facilities for residence. The Leekes store, if approved, would be one of the first builds to be completed.