J. Banks was started by John Banks in 1836. His son, also John, joined to make J. B. Banks & Son and then it became a limited company on 5 January 1933. The deeds of the shop bear the signature of William Wordsworth’s father, land agent for Lord Lowther.

John Banks was not only a successful businessman but also a local personality. When the railway was coming to Cockermouth it was initially suggested that there be two stations. He argued that a central one would be better and cheaper and recommended cutting through the main street, creating Station Street and Station Hill. He also influenced national affairs suggesting to W.E. Gladstone, at that time the MP for Oxford, that receipts should be stamped with a penny stamp (1d). He also proposed that there should be control on the ownership of guns: this eventually resulted in the introduction of the gun license.

In 1902 the business employed Wilfred Jackson, who was 16 years old. He would cycle daily from Tallentire (five miles each way) and often acted as the delivery boy, carrying all manner of items for the neighbours on his bicycle.

In 1923 Wilfred married Daisy Emerson, who had a confectionery business in the town. By then he was also a partner in J.B.Banks & Son. Their son Jack (christened Wilfred) was born in 1926. Wilfred worked full time until major surgery at the age of 72. He resumed work on a part time basis until his death at the age of 78.

Jack joined J.B.Banks & Son Ltd at the age of 16 and, except for joining the Royal Marines in 1944 for three years, worked in the business until his death at the age of 81. In 1957 he married Dorothy Eckford, his best man being Peter Chandler. The following year Peter joined him in the shop, working for many years until prevented by ill health. Jack and Dorothy have three children, Kay, Alan and Vanessa. Jack Jackson, like John Banks, was a man of many parts. He was a founder member of the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and is now their President. He became a magistrate in 1969 only retiring in 1996 when he reached the age of 70. In his spare time he collects all kinds of local memorabilia, particularly antique locks and keys. By the late 1960s Jack bought out the remaining “sleeping partner.” [Picture left - Jack Jackson and his daughter Vanessa].

Ken Day joined the business as a young lad in 1963. He was interviewed for the position by Wilfred. While Ken was no doubt grateful for the job, his face must have dropped when Wilfred told him he could start that Friday, for he had organised a camping trip for himself and some friends for the weekend. Without a hint of a smile Wilfred told Ken he could cycle to work each day and return to Buttermere each evening! It was Jack who had to tell Ken that his father had been joking and he could start work the following Tuesday - Ken can’t have taken it too badly for he is still with J.B. Banks & Son Ltd over 45 years later. Ken is an expert locksmith and is able to make keys to fit most locks, including large plate locks.

Vanessa Graham, Jack’s youngest daughter, officially joined the payroll in 1985. As a young girl she would get pocket money cleaning the all the brass scales and weights and polishing the mahogany counters, a job which took all morning. She works both in the shop and manages the letting of the property. Carole Carr joined in 1984 and Jenny Bush in 2002.

At quite an early date the firm acquired two adjacent smaller shops and the courtyard behind the premises. Over the years the shop and the courtyard have been altered with sympathetic additions and subtractions. The window shutters are no longer used and some display cabinets have been removed. In 1969 the shop was extended backwards into a store. Previously stock had been kept upstairs, reached by a domestic staircase (the rooms were originally bedrooms). It always seemed that the heaviest things were kept in the highest rooms. The upstairs were converted into four three bedroom flats. In the courtyard are cottages and flats, these are let on short hold tenancies.

For a fuller history read 'How It All Began in the Lake District', by Maurice Baren. Published by Dalesman Publishing Company Ltd, ISBN 1855681951.