Following on from our earlier posts, we are pleased to share the third and final story from Evelyn, a former colleague of Mr Burgis.
Evelyn worked at Burgis and Colbourne during the 1940s, the department store run by Mr Burgis alongside Burgis & Bullock. It was a time of bustling shop floors and oversized accounts ledgers, long before screens, software and spreadsheets became part of everyday business life.
Evelyn recalled how the store-bought groceries in bulk and then bagged them on site to keep prices competitive. Wine was purchased by the barrel before being bottled and labelled in house. It was a highly practical, hands-on approach, driven by a clear commercial objective: improving margins while maintaining control over quality and cost.
And margins mattered. Mr Burgis and his team were known for their close attention to the bottom line. When the perfumery department began to underperform, it was Mr Burgis’s son who stepped in to investigate. Drawing on his experience at a London retailer, he suspected a familiar issue: theft.
That insight led to tighter controls, more frequent stock checks and closer monitoring. The issue was identified, action was taken, and performance improved as a result.
It is a reminder that strong systems, reduced waste and attention to detail are not modern ideas, but long‑standing principles of good business. They were just as important then as they are today.
Lucy Paxton, Audit Manager at Burgis & Bullock, reflects: “We are extremely grateful to Evelyn for sharing her memories and bringing another chapter of the firm’s history to life.
“These stories highlight a long‑standing focus on strong controls, efficiency and commercial awareness. That same approach underpins how we support clients today, helping them understand their numbers, improve performance and make better‑informed decisions.”
That mindset continues to shape how Burgis & Bullock works today. Whether it is identifying cost savings, strengthening internal systems and controls, or supporting businesses with cash flow and budgeting, the underlying aim remains the same: to help organisations operate more efficiently and make informed decisions.
Photo Caption: From left to right: Allan Fairweather, Evelyn and Lucy Paxton.
Contact details:
Burgis & Bullock: Lucy Paxton or a member of the audit team – 01926 451000 info@burgisbullock.com
James Hirons Care Home: Allan Fairweather – 01926 422425 info@jameshirons.org.uk
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