J.B. BANKS & SON are celebrating 190 years of tradition in Cockermouth
J.B. BANKS & SON: Celebrating 190 years of tradition in Cockermouth.
by Danni Murphy
Few businesses can claim to have served their community for almost two centuries, but in 2026, Cockermouth’s much-loved JB Banks & Son is celebrating an extraordinary 190 years in business.
Established in 1836 by John Banks, the traditional hardware shop has remained a familiar part of Cockermouth’s landscape ever since. John’s son later joined the business, creating J.B. Banks and Son, which became a limited company on 5 January 1933.
Today, the shop is far more than somewhere to pick up a hammer, lock or tin of paint. Behind its traditional frontage lies a fascinating heritage museum, offering visitors the chance to step back through generations of working life and discover an Aladdin’s cave of tools, machinery and memorabilia.
The museum has been described as a mini Beamish, and it is easy to understand why. The original workshop, known as the Tin Smithy, remains intact, while the building is packed with fascinating objects. Visitors can discover everything from typewriters and old school desks from Cockermouth Grammar School to blow lamps and specialist tools once used for crimping, rolling and bending tin.
One particularly impressive display follows the staircase, with an extensive collection of locks and keys dating from Tudor times through to the present day. Every corner seems to reveal another piece of history.
The building itself has a story to tell, too. The deeds of the shop even bear the signature of William Wordsworth’s father, who worked as a land agent for Lord Lowther.
For photographers, historians and anyone with an appreciation for days gone by, JB Banks & Son is a treasure trove. The atmosphere is wonderfully nostalgic, with the sights, smells and traditional surroundings evoking memories of grandparents’ sheds and workshops.
Yet despite its historic surroundings, JB Banks & Son remains very much a working business. Customers can browse an extensive range of traditional tools, hardware, homeware and gifts, while the company also offers services including tool sharpening, shed clearances, and the buying and selling of tools.
The business has also become known for its wonderfully eclectic collection of items – the sort of place where visitors might arrive looking for one thing and leave having discovered something they never knew they needed.
Its reputation has extended well beyond Cockermouth, attracting thousands of visitors to its heritage museum. Entry is free, although visitors are encouraged to make a donation towards the upkeep of the museum and shop.
The shop has even welcomed royalty. During a visit by King Charles III, the traditional hardware staple Four Candles provided a memorable moment, much to the King’s amusement.
After 190 years, JB Banks & Son has successfully retained something increasingly rare: a genuine connection with the past while continuing to serve the needs of the present.
It is a place where traditional craftsmanship, practical knowledge and history sit side by side – where a working hardware shop can also feel like a living museum.
As JB Banks & Son celebrates its remarkable 190th anniversary, it remains one of Cumbria’s most unique destinations. Whether visitors come searching for a tool, exploring the museum, taking photographs or simply indulging in a little nostalgia, a visit offers the chance to discover a business that has truly stood the test of time.
J.B. Banks & Son
13-14 Market Place, Cockermouth CA13 9NH
Tel: 01900 822281
www.jbbanks.co.uk
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