Our Story

Usually in business we like to look forward – and as a company we pride ourselves on just that – but on occasion, it’s reassuring to look back.

Our story begins back in 1869 in a small black and white grocery shop in Frankwell, Shrewsbury where an industrious James Kent Morris was to set up his candle business with a robust service philosophy which has stood the test of time: “To do the common thing uncommonly well brings success”.

And it did. Over the years the company developed many trading operations which it helped flourish and on which it capitalised as markets matured, with the family remaining central to the growth and success of each business.

Take a look at our timeline to find out more about our five generations of evolution:

James Kent Morris
Sarah Morris, first wife of James Kent Morris
Opening of the first grocery shop in Frankwell, Shrewsbury
Launch of the Morris candle factory
Morris store and staff at Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury
Fanny Morris, daughter of J Kent Morris & E Paterson's Wedding Day
Deliveries at the Morris Bakery
James Kent Morris, second son of James Kent Morris develops the company's oil business
Waiters outside the celebrated Morris café
Morris outdoor catering at Shrewsbury Floral Fete
Morris acquires 1,000,000 gallons of surplus oil from the government at the end of war time
Morris Headquarters
The Morris brothers 'grand plan' at 24 - 26 Pride Hill for the 73ft new store
Cliff Morris marries Evelyn Morris, descendant of Henry Morris, James Kent Morris's son
Cliff Morris, father to Bill Morris (Chairman 1984-2009)
Morris Home Guard
Grocery License during war years
Advert from Shropshire Magazine
Morris's lingerie shop on Pride Hill
Green Shield stamps at the Morris Food Hall
Baking loaves at the new Horsefair bakery in Shrewsbury
Deliveries on Pride Hill
The SaveRite supermarket brand was launched in 1968
Centenary Dinner for Morris & Company staff
The Board including Peter Morris (2nd left), descendant of Frederick Langley Morris, James Kent Morris's son, Cliff Morris(2nd right) and Bill Morris (right)
New bacon production line at Wellington SaveRite
Morris Lubricants advertising of the day
Bill Morris with architect John Heber Evans laying first brick of the Radbrook Nursing Home - the launch of Morris Care
Bill Morris with his trusty springer spaniels
The acquisition of Stanmore Hall in Bridgenorth heralds a new Leisure Division
Three generations celebrate Robin Morris, son of Bill, joining the business
Robin Morris leads the vision for Victoria Quay with conversion of The Armoury into pub/restaurant
Mr Cliff celebrates his 100 years
Cliff Morris receiving his Legion d'Honneur at the age of 101
Food Division sold to Midcounties Co-operative marking the end of 130 years food retailing
Morris and Company Millennium project - building a pontoon for the River Severn
Chris Morris, second son of Bill, joins the company
Lubricants & Leisure Divisions now under sole ownership of Paterson Enterprises Limited
Site Machinery founded with the acquisition of ArcGen Limited
Morris Care growing with the acquisition of Stretton Hall
ArcGen acquires Hilta Pumps to become ArcGen Hilta Limited
Morris acquires the Marrington Estate
Celebrating Bill Morris's 50 years with the company
ArcGen Hilta acquires Sandhurst Manufacturing Company
Chris Morris becomes CEO of Morris Site Machinery
Morris Joinery workshop, part of Property, branches out to private clients
Robin Morris appointed 2016 President of Shrewsbury Horticultural Society
Record international sales recognised by Sunday Times
Morris Property final phase of town's leading trade park at Vanguard
Angela Rippon opens Ercall Court Specialist Dementia Home
Morris and Company celebrates its staff in 150 stars awards
Robin Morris presenting Bill Morris with his 60th Anniversary Silver Salver
Morris and Company celebrates its staff in 150 stars awards
Summer celebrations at Shrewsbury Flower Show with guest of honour, Mariella Frostrup
Property completes flagship Apex i54 building
New holiday rental business Marrington Escapes launches
Morris Site Machinery sold to John F Hunt Group
BBC broadcasts live from Isle Court for Queen’s Jubilee
James Kent Morris
Sarah Morris, first wife of James Kent Morris
Opening of the first grocery shop in Frankwell, Shrewsbury
Launch of the Morris candle factory
Morris store and staff at Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury
Fanny Morris, daughter of J Kent Morris & E Paterson's Wedding Day
Deliveries at the Morris Bakery
James Kent Morris, second son of James Kent Morris develops the company's oil business
Waiters outside the celebrated Morris café
Morris outdoor catering at Shrewsbury Floral Fete
Morris acquires 1,000,000 gallons of surplus oil from the government at the end of war time
Morris Headquarters
The Morris brothers 'grand plan' at 24 - 26 Pride Hill for the 73ft new store
Cliff Morris marries Evelyn Morris, descendant of Henry Morris, James Kent Morris's son
Cliff Morris, father to Bill Morris (Chairman 1984-2009)
Morris Home Guard
Grocery License during war years
Advert from Shropshire Magazine
Morris's lingerie shop on Pride Hill
Green Shield stamps at the Morris Food Hall
Baking loaves at the new Horsefair bakery in Shrewsbury
Deliveries on Pride Hill
The SaveRite supermarket brand was launched in 1968
Centenary Dinner for Morris & Company staff
The Board including Peter Morris (2nd left), descendant of Frederick Langley Morris, James Kent Morris's son, Cliff Morris(2nd right) and Bill Morris (right)
New bacon production line at Wellington SaveRite
Morris Lubricants advertising of the day
Bill Morris with architect John Heber Evans laying first brick of the Radbrook Nursing Home - the launch of Morris Care
Bill Morris with his trusty springer spaniels
The acquisition of Stanmore Hall in Bridgenorth heralds a new Leisure Division
Three generations celebrate Robin Morris, son of Bill, joining the business
Robin Morris leads the vision for Victoria Quay with conversion of The Armoury into pub/restaurant
Mr Cliff celebrates his 100 years
Cliff Morris receiving his Legion d'Honneur at the age of 101
Food Division sold to Midcounties Co-operative marking the end of 130 years food retailing
Morris and Company Millennium project - building a pontoon for the River Severn
Chris Morris, second son of Bill, joins the company
Lubricants & Leisure Divisions now under sole ownership of Paterson Enterprises Limited
Site Machinery founded with the acquisition of ArcGen Limited
Morris Care growing with the acquisition of Stretton Hall
ArcGen acquires Hilta Pumps to become ArcGen Hilta Limited
Morris acquires the Marrington Estate
Celebrating Bill Morris's 50 years with the company
ArcGen Hilta acquires Sandhurst Manufacturing Company
Chris Morris becomes CEO of Morris Site Machinery
Morris Joinery workshop, part of Property, branches out to private clients
Robin Morris appointed 2016 President of Shrewsbury Horticultural Society
Record international sales recognised by Sunday Times
Morris Property final phase of town's leading trade park at Vanguard
Angela Rippon opens Ercall Court Specialist Dementia Home
Morris and Company celebrates its staff in 150 stars awards
Robin Morris presenting Bill Morris with his 60th Anniversary Silver Salver
Morris and Company celebrates its staff in 150 stars awards
Summer celebrations at Shrewsbury Flower Show with guest of honour, Mariella Frostrup
Property completes flagship Apex i54 building
New holiday rental business Marrington Escapes launches
Morris Site Machinery sold to John F Hunt Group
BBC broadcasts live from Isle Court for Queen’s Jubilee

Our Businesses

Morris Property
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