Our History
We’ve come a long way since 1865
Since William Timpson first opened our doors, Timpson Group has grown and evolved significantly over the past 150+ years.
Even through such a long history, we’ve remained a family-run business focused on doing things the right way. After all, our values and culture make the Timpson Group what it is today.
Including Timpson, Max Spielmann, Snappy Snaps, Johnson Dry Cleaners & other big names.
Our brands have got shops all over the UK and Ireland. Visit us today!
All of our amazing friendly colleagues are at the heart of everything we do.
That’s how long our family-run business has been raising smiles on the high street.
Find our shops inside major supermarkets.
Take professional passport & ID photos at one of our wheelchair-friendly booths.
Print photos instantly at our photo printing kiosks – found in all kinds of convenient places.
Find our key-cutting machines in convenient locations all over the UK.
A family business where people come first
We’ve been a family-run business for 6 generations!
William Timpson
Director
1864—1928
William Timpson
Director
1902—1960
Anthony Timpson
Director
1936—1973
James Timpson
Director
1999—2024
Roisin Timpson
Joined 2020
Bede Timpson
Joined 2023
Patrick Timpson
Joined 2023
John Timpson
Director
1969—
Our business runs on 5 key principles
Trust
Upside Down Management gives colleagues total authority to do whatever they can to amaze our customers.
Kindness
We’re always ready to offer help to colleagues who need it – and we raise smiles with regular acts of kindness throughout the year!
Inclusion
We’re proud to employ people who find job hunting really tough, and 12% of our new recruits actually come from prison.
Loyalty
We always want our colleagues to stay with us, so we offer long-service rewards to celebrate milestones with the business.
Generosity
5% of our services are done for free. We ask customers if they’d like to donate to charity instead!
Nobody else has a story quite like ours
From 1865 to today, here’s a quick timeline of Timpson through the years. Watch John tell our story instead.
1869
First Shop
- At the age of just 16, shoemaker William Timpson founded Timpson LTD and opened his first shop on Oldham Road in Manchester
1903
Started Shoe Repairs
- Timpson expanded from shoe selling into shoe manufacturing and repair. In 1903, the first shoe repair factory was established in Hulme, Manchester
1923
Shoe Factory Open
- A brand-new shoe factory was opened in Kettering in 1922, before Timpson was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1929
1928
75th Shop in Leeds
- Timpson celebrated the opening of the 75th shop in Leeds, marking it a significant milestone in the companies expansion
1937
Early Repair Shop
- In its early days, Timpson’s repair shop quickly became known for its exepert craftsmanship and reliable service
1947
200th Shoe Shop
- Timpson celebrated the opening of its 200th shoe shop in 1947, highlighting the company’s rapid growth and success
1960
Heel Bar
- Timpson opened its first heel bar, offering specialised shoe repairs, and setting the stage for a new era of customer service
1969
Started Key Cutting
- In 1969, Timpson began offering key cutting services, expanding its range of convenient, high-quality repairs
1987
Shoe Shops sold to George Oliver
- Timpson sold its chain of shoe shops to George Oliver, marking a shift in focus for the company’s future growth
1995
First Major Acquisition
- In 1995, Timpson made its first major acquisition, expanding its services and footprint in the retail industry
1997
Started Watch Repairs
- Timpson began offering watch repairs, surther diversifying its services and establishing itself as a trusted name in high-quality repairs
2003
Second Major Acquisition
- In 2003, Timpson acquired Mister Minit, expanding its repairs services and strengthening its position in the retail market
2008
Max Photo
- Over 40 Sainsbury’s concessions were acquired by Timpson Group, and printing specialists Max Spielmann was then bought out of administration
2010
First ‘Pod’ in supermarket car park
- Timpson opened its first pod in a supermarket car park, pioneering a new approach to convient on-th-go services for customers
2012
Snappy Snaps
- Keen to expand the photo printing business, Timpson Group bought Snappy Snaps and Tesco Photo
2017
Acquired Johnsons The Cleaners
- After agreeing to take over dry cleaning operations in Morrisons supermarkets, Timpson Group next acquired the Johnsons Dry Cleaners and Jeeves of Belgravia businesses
2018
2000th Shop
- The 2000th shop in the Timpson Group was officially opened in Queensferry, and the first few Barbershops were also opened the same year
2019
The Queen’s Award
- The Timpson Group achieved the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The Queen recognised the contribution of every colleague in the business, so this was an award for them
2020s
New Shops
- The Watch Lab, Iconx, In-Time, and The Watch Hospital have all joined the Timpson Group in the past few years…and new shops are being opened all the time
2022
New Business
- Le Tremplin Morzine is our ski hotel and restaurant based in the heart of the French Alps. Nestled at the foot of the gorgeous Pleney slopes, the Hotel Le Tremplin first opened in 1936 and was one of the very first hotels in the beautiful resort of Morzine
2020s
The King’s Award
- Timpson Group is one of several organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. Announced on Monday 6th May 2024, Timpson Group has been recognised for its excellence in Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility
