Much-loved Morecambe business celebrates major family milestone

Briggs Shoes on Central Promenade is marking the 90th birthday of family matriarch Mary Powney.

Originally founded in 1863, Briggs Shoes is now in its sixth generation of direct family ownership, making it one of the area's longest-established independent retailers.

Opening its first Morecambe shop on Regent Road in 1985, the business later consolidated its commitment to the town by converting a former promenade chippy to its flagship store and head office in 2013, outlasting former neighbours Hitchens and Woolworths.

Mary's story is woven into the history of the business. A talented professional musician who studied at the Royal Academy in London, the early death of her father Leslie called her and husband Ian back to support her mother Bessie in the business in 1968.

Throughout Briggs' history, many of its strongest influences have been the pioneering women of the family, from Mary’s “fiery redhead” grandmother Isabella Sophia Briggs to her mother Bessie, who stepped up when her brother Bert, a Dunkirk hero, died of malaria while waiting repatriation from Asia at the end of the war.

Today, Briggs is run by Mary’s son Tom Powney, her grandson Luke Powney and his mum Laura Domville. This makes Luke the sixth generation to come up through the business, having sold his first pair of shoes whilst helping out after school, aged seven.

Tom says: "Mum has always been at the heart of the family and the business, changing her life to return to it when I was just two, taking the helm during my father’s ill health and helping it adapt, survive and thrive through many challenging times.

“Reaching 90 is a wonderful milestone and gives us a chance not only to celebrate her but also the generations of customers, staff and local communities that have known Mary, and supported Briggs, over many years."

Mary and the family are strong supporters of Eden Project Morecambe and have installed a roof camera overlooking the development to document progress as work, due to begin this month, moves forward.

They’re also inviting people to join Mary’s celebrations by sharing their Briggs and Morecambe memories in the shop and on their social media pages.

Tom said: “We hope mum’s milestone helps remind people of independent businesses’ role in local communities like Morecambe – honouring the past while helping to shape an exciting future.”