Weatherhead Walters & Son a modest Ironmongers started trading in 1734 on the aptly named Irongate. The company soon began to grow expanding into agricultural goods and gaining the titles of Gun & Silver Smiths, and Oil & Colour Merchants.

George Bennett, a retired Master Mariner, bought the company in 1864. He expanded the company even further with sports equipment alongside farming tools, toys and guns!

Being an “old sea dog” George had the store laid out like a sailing ship. Wrought iron stairways climes up to nautical-style landings throughout, examples of which can still be seen today. Bennett passed the company down through his family with the last Bennetts selling the company in 1937. Bennetts continued to thrive and expand into the 21st century.