Independent DIY store JB Banks, named for the father and son who opened the store in 1836, is celebrating 180 years in business - despite several bumps in the road along the way.
Based in Cockermouth, Cumbria, JB Banks was first opened by John Banks in as an addition to his tin smithy and plumbers workshop. He was joined by son John Brown Banks, followed by Wilfred Jackson Senior in 1902. Mr Jackson passed the business down to his son, Wilfred "Jack" Jackson, granddaughter Vanessa Graham and great granddaughter Sarah King, who run the shop today.

Despite the loyalty of its employees, it has not always been plain-sailing for the DIY independent. The store has overcome several disasters both man-made and natural which have threatened its future. The 50s and 70s saw lorries crashing through the store-front, while 1966, 2009 and 2015 brought some of the worst floods in British history to the area.

Perhaps the worst challenge faced by JB Banks was in 2009 when flood water up to five feet deep immersed the shopfloor. Speaking to DIY Week about the disaster, owner Vanessa Graham said: "The water covered the wonderful mahogany counters and making every one of the 172 drawers swell shut behind the counter. By sheer hard work and determination, the shop was fully open for business within eight weeks. This included taking up the floor and relaying.

"Everything was cleaned, repaired and restored so that few realised we had suffered such a major blow."

It was due to the extent of work involved in the aftermath of the 2009 flood, that Ms Graham and long-time co-worker Ken Day decided to open part of the old workshop adjoining the shop up as a heritage museum.

Today visitors can visit the store and wander back in time to 1829 when Mr Banks' tin smithy and plumbers workshop were in use. The office still features 'sit up and beg' desks, pre-QWERTY typewriters and plenty of signage and old photographs from the area.

Today, the business is partly run by Ms Graham's daughter Sarah King, who has brought JB Banks firmly into the 21st century with a web and social media presence, though the family still embrace the traditional manner of service.