A family business closed its doors after 55 years serving Teesdale’s farms.
Phillip Holden (Rural) started on March 1, 1970 as a veterinary medicine business on Galgate in Barnard Castle.
But now, Phillip’s son Adam, has taken the difficult decision to close it down.
“I’ve taken it as far as I can,” he admitted. “I’m getting older and I’m faced with a tough decision. I don’t have a successor. I have a family, but I always encouraged them to do what they would like.
“For a long time I let my heart rule my head, but looking at the further investment and requirements needed to keep us up to date I had to make that decision. After all, if anything happens to you and you’re a business owner, who is there to sort it all out?”
Increased red tape made it harder to keep the business buoyant, an issue that first arose in the early 21st century when Holdens was moving from Galgate to Harmire Enterprise Park.
“We had seven years of planning challenges before we could make that move,” Mr Holden said. “And those challenges just keep coming. It’s bureaucracy from whatever colour of government you choose.
“They seem to forget that family businesses are the backbone of the nation. We’re the ones who get up every morning and try to make a contribution, and people don’t always understand that.”
While there is sadness at the end of an era, there is also great satisfaction in the relationships with staff and customers that have developed over the years.
“There has been a lot of fun, a lot of good friendships over the years,” Mr Holden said. “We’ve dealt with a lot of family farms and it’s been a hub for all sorts of topics. I’ve never taken the friendships I made here for granted.”
Those memories were shared by former customers on the firm’s Facebook page. Raymond Brown described it as “a sign of the times.”
“Who remembers foot and mouth and no white vans?” he asked. “What happens next time with no Holdens?
“Best of luck to Adam in his future endeavours and I for one doff my cap in acknowledgement to Phillip, who has served his community well.”
Many members of staff have worked for years and become part of the Holdens family.
“Diane Watson took over the accounts from my mother and has worked here for 25 years, Helen Harrison started with us when she was 16 and has been here for 20 years,” Mr Holden added.
“This is very much a close-knit family business and the decision to close has been carefully considered. They are like a part of my family.”
Although one family business is closing, it’s not the end of the story.
Mr Holden is moving to a new role with Sam Turner & Sons in Piercebridge. “It’s another family business, so I feel I can relate to it,” he said.
