Company History: The Early Days

Listers Furnishers Limited of Workington was estab-
lished in 1870 by J.T.Lister in premises on Finkle Street, Workington. The business was inherited by his ne-
phew, Jim Lister, in 1912 (grandfather of the current Managing Director). A partnership of Lister and Small-
wood followed, but was soon dissolved and Jim estab-
lished a thriving business until his early death in 1932.

His wife, Jane née Whitehead, carried on the business until her son, Dennis Lister, returned from his war service in 1946. The business then expanded and acquired further premises for the successful Baby Goods Department. Dennis officially retired in 1991, leaving a much larger business than he had inherited to his youngest son, Patrick.