Matriarch of Morecambe family shoe shop celebrates special milestone

The matriarch of a Morecambe family shoe business founded in the 19th century has celebrated her 90th birthday.

Mary Powney first worked at Briggs Shoes in the 1960s, and today the business is co-run by her grandson who is the sixth generation to come up through the firm.

The family gathered to celebrate Mary's birthday last week.

Briggs Shoes was originally founded in 1863, making it one of the area's longest-established independent retailers.

Briggs Shoes on Marine Road Central, Morecambe

Founded by master shoemaker Thomas Briggs, Briggs’ evolved from an initial apprenticeship at Gorrill’s shoe shop on Lancaster’s Penny Street in 1856 to purchasing a store in Kendal.

In 1863, Thomas (Mary’s great-grandfather) was presented with a writing box by his employer, John Gorill. Thomas had been the Kendal branch manager for nine years and received the box on the occasion of becoming the owner of the shoe shop. The writing box (below) remains a precious family heirloom.

Mary's story is woven into the history of the business.

A talented professional musician who had 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 awaiting repatriation from Asia at the end of the war.

Opening its first Morecambe shop on Regent Road in 1985, the business later converted a former promenade chippy to its flagship store and head office on Marine Road Central in 2013.

Today, Briggs is run by Tom Powney (Mary’s son), Luke Powney (Mary’s grandson) and Luke’s 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.

Mary and her family

"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," said Tom.

“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, even installing a roof camera overlooking the development to document progress as work on the site opposite the shop, 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.

“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," said Tom.