Steve Webb – Consett in Focus
In 1956, a small shop opened its doors on Watling Street in Leadgate, nestled between a butcher’s and a cobbler’s. This was the humble beginning of Davisons, a family-run business that has become a staple of Consett’s retail landscape.
In its early days, Muriel Davison, the shop’s founder, primarily stocked miners’ socks, aprons, and wool. To keep the shelves filled, Muriel and her daughter Christine would make regular bus trips to Newcastle, bringing back fresh stock for their loyal customers. It was a chance suggestion from the neighbouring cobbler to sell slippers that set Davisons on the path to becoming the shop we know today.
In 1979, Davisons made a significant move to Front Street, following the butcher into Leadgate’s main shopping area. This relocation marked a new chapter for the business, allowing it to expand its offerings and reach a wider customer base.
Christine, who now owns the shop, fondly recalls her after-school routine of helping her mother and learning the ins and outs of the business. Under Muriel’s guidance, who worked tirelessly until the age of 80, Davisons gradually specialised in ladies’ clothing.
Today, Davisons continues to thrive on Front Street Leadgate, offering a well-curated selection of ladies’ clothing. The shop maintains its reputation for providing a warm welcome to all who step through its doors, carrying on the tradition of excellent customer service established by Muriel nearly seven decades ago.
Davisons stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of local, family-run businesses in Leadgate, adapting to changing times while maintaining its core values of quality and customer care.
