The History of David Irons & Sons Ltd
In 1840, George Irons the great great grandfather of previous owners Michael and Marshall Irons entered into a partnership with his cousin, Alfred Irons to open a seedsman and ironmongers business at 14 East High Street, Forfar.
The partnership lasted some 10 years before being dissolved and the business was then carried on by George Irons who died in 1872.
Then his son David Irons senior carried on until his death in 1898 at his home at 1 Sparrowcroft, Forfar.
David Irons junior and his brother William, the sons of David Irons senior continued the business at 14 East High Street until 1907/1908 when they, at a public roup within the County Hotel, Castle Street, Forfar, on Saturday 2nd March 1907 at 12 o;clock, purchased Petrie's Temperance Hotel in Castle Street, Forfar and instructed Gavin Soutar, architect, to draw up plans for a new shop and warehouse which were completed on the 9th November 1908. The premises were ready to be occupied approximately 2 years later.
The main contractors were:-
- John Doig, 28 Chapel Street - Plasterer
- James Farquharson, Chapel Street - Joiner
- John Leith, 78 Castle Street - Plumber
- James Kerr, 102 West High Street - Slater
- Thomas Barclay, 22 West High Street - Painter
The mason unfortunately is unknown.
George Barker, Tayside Iron Works, Market Street, Perth installed a water operated lift which, although partly altered due to health and safety regulations, is still in working order today. To the best of our knowledge it is the only one still operating in Scotland.
On the death of David Irons junior the business was carried on by his son William who in 1958 changed the business into a Limited company and was joined as a director by George D Cooper, Willowbank, Forfar who had joined the firm in 1948. On William Irons retiral in 1977, G D Cooper took the reigns until he retired in 1984.
The sons of W Irons, Michael and Marshall then carried on the business until 5th October 2005 when it was sold to the 18th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne, whose family have resided at nearby Glamis Castle since 1372.
David Irons & Sons Ltd is an important part of Forfar's economy and can adequately be described as "a good old fashioned Furnishing Ironmonger".
