CT Baker 255th anniversary
Nick Baker Eight Generation of the Baker family
Today, our shelves are filled with local produce – a tribute to traditional methods passed down through generations. From a humble blacksmith’s shop to a thriving enterprise of a department store, builders merchants and supermarkets, our journey exemplifies resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment. For our 255th anniversary, we set ourselves the task of making history come alive. To retrace traditions that have shaped us since the 1700s, my son, Henry Baker (ninth generation), set sail on Victorious , a beautifully restored 1923 King’s Lynn-built smack boat and, with local produce in tow, braved an 11-hour voyage across the North Sea. After the sail, I loaded the goods onto a trade bike, completing the journey to Holt town centre. You can watch the video of our journey by scanning the QR code, or following this link:
In 2025, my family business, CT Baker Ltd, celebrates its 255th anniversary. Over five years ago, we began making arrangements to commemorate our 250th birthday, but COVID-19 put a halt to proceedings. So, it feels right that, this year, we should take time to step back and honour the history of our brand, sharing pivotal moments that have guided us through the centuries. Since our founding in 1770, Bakers & Larners has stood proudly in the heart of Holt in Norfolk, evolving over the Our story begins in the 1700s with my seven-times great-grandfather, whose vision and determination laid the foundation for a prosperous family legacy. Along with acquiring land and estates, they established an ironmongery and hardware business in Holt. This enterprise was carried forward by my fifth great-grandfather, John Baker, and is the business we continue to celebrate today. Growing up in Yarmouth, John was closely connected to the busy waterways, building boats and holding shares centuries while remaining an independent family business.
in the family ship, likely transporting goods along the rivers to ports like Cley and Blakeney. The ironmongery became a vital part of Holt’s community, serving farmers, artisans, and townsfolk, creating a strong bond between trade and daily life. The business continued to flourish into the 19th century when John’s son, John Junior, and nephew, Charles, took on roles as drapers, grocers and ironmongers, helping the town thrive as a bustling trading hub. Charles dedicated over 30 years to leading the business and, by 1869, he owned a 22-foot frontage of the department store in Holt’s marketplace. His son, Charles Thomas Baker, inherited the legacy in 1877, successfully guiding the firm through the challenging agricultural depression. Over a century later, Michael Baker, the youngest of my father’s cousins, took the reins, growing the business from 20 to 220 staff, marking a new era of success.
https://youtu.be/E94QwNdHwH- k?si=OitsAZzRS0GUzuhK
FBUK Issue 5 24
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