THIS year a traditional ironmongers in Pershore celebrates the 100th anniversary since its opening went off like a bull in a china shop.

W L Brown has stood in the town’s High Street since 1913 and has been kept in the family ever since.

The shop is now run by Nick Green, who will mark the store’s centenary with a garden party and hog roast on Sunday, August 4.

It will be held from 1pm to 5pm in a grand marquee set up in the grounds of the nearby Angel Hotel.

Although the business does not have an official opening date, it first appeared in the Journal in May 1913 when a bull entered the shop, knocked over a few saucepans and left.

The shop was first opened by William Lyon Brown, who took over the store and began trading under his own name. He began as an agricultural ironmonger and paid just £35 a year rent.

His son Graham Brown worked alongside his father and in the shop for 40 years and bought the store.

Mr Green, who worked with Graham and now owns the shop alongside Mr Brown’s nephew Simon Barette, said: “In Graham Brown’s days the shop was a complete mess but he knew where everything was. They always had the reputation that we would have something that other shops didn’t.

“I once visited the Black Country Museum and went to the hardware store, which when they first opened we provided a lot of props for them. I went in and told the man who I was and he knew of the shop and had nothing but praise.

“100 years in business is a very long time these days, especially in the same family.”

During the celebration weekend the Brown family and friends will also be at Deer Park Hall near Eckington to see Zander Barette, Simon’s son, marry Polly Conoboy.

As part of all the celebrations the shop has also teamed up with Pershore Pride, which it is part of. As part of the draw cardholders will not only get shopping vouchers but also a mystery prize from W L Brown’s.