ARTHUR CHATWIN LTD.

Chatwins is still a family business and its traditional family values have stood the test of time since John Chatwin started up in Edwardian times. John Chatwin's three great-grandsons now work in the business, the fourth generation of Chatwins, and they are still as dedicated as their great-grandfather in giving customers traditional quality products.

John Chatwin had been an insurance agent in Congleton but he moved to Nantwich back in 1913 where he rented some cottages next to the Church. He converted the premises into a small bakery and soon gained a reputation for baking fresh tasty bread. With no shop, a horse drawn van was used to deliver around Nantwich and into the surrounding rural areas.

In 1916, the first shop and tea room was opened alongside the bakery in Market Street and John's son, Arthur, started helping out after school. Arthur and his brother John jnr joined the business in the mid 20s and, soon afterwards, cakes started being produced for the first time.

It wasn't long before Chatwins reputation was noted further afield and in 1934, the business scooped the prestigious 1934 International Award in London.

Sadly, John jnr died in 1937 but Arthur Chatwin took over in 1940 as John snr's health faltered. At the time there was still only the one shop in Market Street, Nantwich but, by the end of the decade, Arthur had opened shops in Crewe and Sandbach and a second one in the Square at Nantwich. The Sandbach shop could only be opened three days a week due to rationing but in 1952 rationing ended and more raw materials became available.

In 1955, Arthur's son Brian joined the business at the tender age of 17. The father and son team laid foundations for the expansion of the business which now comprises 20 shops and 6 coffee lounges throughout Cheshire and Staffordshire.