THERE are a few businesses that are almost synonymous with St Helens as they have a history dating back almost as long (or longer) than its incorporation as a municipal borough.
Pilks. Burchalls. Beechams. Wainwrights. These are a few local companies that spring to mind when you think of St Helens, and Slinn's Wallpaper and Paint can certainly be added to that list.
Launched in 1869, Slinn's originally delivered a variety of goods to residents in the newly formed St Helens via horse and cart.
Passing through the Slinn's family, the business eventually found its niche selling wallpaper and paints and since 1909, this is what the company has been selling to loyal customers for more than a century.
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With such a long history in St Helens, Slinn's used to be the town's primary supplier of wallpaper and paints, and at one point had more than a hundred decorators using their products on council buildings, Pilks factories, local businesses, and homes.
Highlighting its dominance in the town, Slinn's also used to have multiple selling units across St Helens, with three shops lining up on Ormskirk Street alone.
With the rise of online shopping, retail parks, and huge corporations, however, business has declined from its former heyday and Slinn's now runs from a single unit on Hill Street, which has operated between Haresfinch and the town centre since 1973.
With the business incorporated as a listed company under the name 'Eric Slinn & Son' in 1955, its ownership has now been transferred to Alfred Bannister, who has worked at Slinn's since 1962.
Although the Slinn's are still involved in the business, Alfred now mainly runs the operation with his two sons and has witnessed first hand the changes in trade over the past six decades.
Alfred, 77, said: "Slinn's was very busy throughout the sixties until around the eighties, as there was no online shopping, no retail parks, and no big discount places like B&Q.
"There was a point where we had 160 decorators using our products all across St Helens, and we used to have contracts with the council and Pilks which was a big help.
"Around 30 years ago, everyone in St Helens would have known Slinn's and I'd say we were still one of the biggest suppliers until around 15 years ago, when things started to become more challenging."
While business has been more competitive and challenging in recent years, Alfred said that Slinn's has adapted to different trends by growing its wallpaper and paint selection and offering different goods such as colourful wallpaper murals and accessories.
The business also has its regular customers who have been coming to Slinn's for generations, and Alfred takes particular pride in the prices and range of products offered.
And although the rise in online shopping has been something to adapt to, the business' move online has also attracted custom and made themselves known to younger generations who may not have heard of Slinn's before.
Alfred, from Eccleston, added: "The paint side of the business has definitely reduced but we still get a lot coming in for our wallpaper.
"We specialise in selling end-of-the-line export stock, and we have products that you won't get anywhere else.
"We have always prided ourselves in keeping our prices reasonable and we hope that the customers see that and return to us."
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