A popular family business is celebrating its 100-year anniversary of opening in Ely this week. 

As part of the celebration, Brands of Ely has shared historic photographs that show what the shop looked like when it was founded in the early twentieth century. 

The now garden centre opened its first retail store in the city, next door to its blacksmiths business in St Mary's Street, in 1924. 

The store, which started off selling grocery items and animal feed was established by the current landlord's great uncle, Billy Brand. 

It then passed on to his nephew, Joe Brand, who developed it into a successful corn merchant business located in Witchford.

It was eventually taken over by Joe's daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Roberty Clasby, in 1974. 

Keen to expand the business, Mr and Mrs Clasby purchased new premises at 10 Market Street (now Costa Coffee) next door to the Rex cinema (now Boots) in 1979.

They continued to run this larger shop successfully for the next 20 years, becoming a pet and garden centre and serving an ever expanding city of Ely.

Kelly Wade told the Ely Standard: "In 1999, Sue and Robert purchased the current site and moved the business here where they were able to expand further and offer an outdoor retail.

"They continued here until 2003, when they approached the Wade family, a long-established name in the pet trade to buy the business.

"The Wade’s continued to trade under the Brands name ensuring the ‘family run’ feel remained. They have been running the business since then, supported by their highly valued team of colleagues.

She added: "As a local, independent business we are extremely proud to be celebrating 100 years of trading in Ely, and would like to thank all of our wonderful customers, past and present for helping us to reach this milestone."

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