A Glimpse into the History of Burgis & Bullock

An assisted living care home in Leamington Spa is helping Burgis & Bullock reflect on its 135-year legacy – with support from one of its residents.

James Hirons Care Home, established in 1953, has a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality care for older people. As a charity-led home governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees, its not-for-profit model ensures that every decision prioritises residents’ wellbeing over shareholder interests.

During a recent visit to the care home, a resident named Evelyn overheard that Burgis & Bullock were on site and introduced herself. She shared that she had worked alongside Mr Herbert Clifford Burgis, a key figure in the firm’s history, during the 1940s.

Evelyn originally worked for one of Burgis & Bullock’s clients, but at age 19 was invited to join Mr Burgis at his family’s department store, Burgis and Colborne, Leamington Spa, a legacy of the high street.  She recalled managing ten large sales ledgers, each representing a different department, including the restaurant, garden & ironmongery, wine, grocery, greengrocer, delicatessen, bakery, and perfumery.

Evelyn said: “The ledgers were bound in red leather with gold lettering and filled with thick blue paper. The paper was so heavy that if we made a mistake, we would use a pen knife to carefully scratch it off and start over.”

One of her fondest memories was a small but meaningful tradition: each lunchtime, Mr Burgis would visit the tennis club on Bedford Street, use his sweet ration to buy a treat, and bring it back to share with Evelyn and her colleagues – a simple gesture that left a lasting impression.

Lucy Paxton, Audit Manager at Burgis & Bullock, said: “Sometimes, history finds a way of saying hello. It was a privilege to hear Evelyn’s memories. As we reflect on our history, we’re proud to carry forward Mr Burgis’ values of professionalism, technical expertise, and approachability – qualities that continue to define how we serve our clients today.”

Allan Fairweather, Home Manager at James Hirons Care Home, added: “We take pride in tailoring care to each resident’s needs. We’ve worked with Burgis & Bullock for several years and we are proud to hear Evelyn recount her stories.”

Photo Caption: From left to right: Allan Fairweather, Evelyn and Lucy Paxton.

Contact details:

• James Hirons Care Home: Allan Fairweather – 01926 422425 info@jameshirons.org.uk
• Burgis & Bullock: Lucy Paxton or a member of the audit team – 01926 451000 info@burgisbullock.com