Our history: family-run since 1851
The Dike family have played a large part in the community since 1851 when they were grocers, but more predominantly bakers back then.
In 1909 three cottages in Ring Street, Stalbridge, were purchased by William James Dike, (William Dike’s grandfather) and were demolished and rebuilt as a grocery shop and a bake house. It was these premises that served the family proudly for just short of 100 years, witnessing numerous extensions and changes over that period.
In 1914 a farm was bought behind this building, which meant the Dike family could now offer a regular supply of own-reared meat from their cows and pigs, as well as fresh milk. Of course, this all had zero ‘food miles’, as this wonderful fresh produce went straight to the shop, was prepared and then sold.
Home deliveries, which the Dike family prided themselves upon even back then, were made by horse and cart. Pictures of this and other historic items can be seen in the Dike family’s private collection, along with a few early motorised delivery vehicles – Please let Andrew Dike know if you would like to see his father’s cherished memorabilia.
In 1969 a purpose-built bakery was built on the farmland by William James’s son Percy Dike. This, just like the grocery store, witnessed some necessary expansion as the business grew over the years to come.
From the 1960s onwards William Dike and later his brother Frank started to gradually take over from their father, Percy, in the bakery trade. This was at the time business was rapidly increasing and delivery rounds were going from strength to strength with a strong customer base, with regular drops as far out as Bournemouth.
A fleet of 25 bakery vans were all up and running at one stage. William, with his wife Deirdre, the supportive company secretary, was also instrumental in acquiring other bakery outlets which over a period of time included depots in Bristol, Castle Cary and another bakery shop in Blandford. Another Dike’s bakery was also successfully opened in Portsmouth, managed by other members of the family from the 1920s up to 1965.
Throughout all this attention to the bakery side of the business, Cyril Dike, (Percy’s brother) was actively operating and growing the grocery store in Stalbridge. William worked alongside Cyril and finally took over completely from his uncle in 1988.
Previously associated with VG Food Stores, in 1990 Dike’s joined the buying group NISA (National Independent Supermarkets Association). Today Dike & Son Ltd is still heavily affiliated with the group and it is fair to say that we are one of NISA’s most loyal members.
In 1998, seven years after the bakery business had moved into more modern and spacious premises elsewhere in Stalbridge, Dike & Son Ltd were sadly left with no option but to end their long family history in baking. It was at a time of extremely fierce competition from the supermarket giants, and the business was sold to Dorset Village Bakeries, which still operates there today.
Though very disappointed about having to let go of the bakery, William now had more time to really concentrate on developing the grocery side of the business. New channels were being opened up in meeting other retailers at conferences, trade shows, etc, and the hunger, ambition and drive to grow the family retail business was very evident in William.
The family were indeed fortunate enough to own four acres of land behind the current building, and this is where William, supported by the enthusiasm of his son Andrew, had the vision and foresight to develop plans for a new, much bigger store that would ultimately give his highly valued customers a much better shopping experience which, he was often remembered to say, “they deserved”.
William encouraged Andrew to gain a thorough grounding in all aspects of the retail sector for several years, before he was eventually allowed to join the family business and become the fifth generation to be involved.
They operated alongside each other in a true father and son working relationship. Together they managed the Stalbridge site and got two other convenience stores up and running: the Crewkerne shop, acquired in February 1999 – still successfully running; and Dorchester shop, acquired in 2002 – but sold in 2008.
William spent endless amounts of time and effort on the external plans for his dream development. Andrew experienced his father’s true energy, passion and determination in driving this project forward and eventually, after a long and frustrating five years in obtaining all the necessary planning permissions and overcoming numerous legal formalities, the building work started in autumn 2006.
Only then did the family receive the most sickening and totally unexpected news that William had terminal cancer, and would not live to see his dream of a new superstore in Stalbridge become a reality.
Suddenly Andrew, his mother Deirdre, store manager Adam Vincent and an extremely loyal team of staff were faced with a whole period of uncertainty and huge hurdles to overcome – but through sheer determination, and an even bigger will to succeed, they managed to get the brand new 22,000 square foot family-run, purpose-built superstore open in time for a November 5th 2007 opening.
It had taken just over a year, and really had been an emotional journey.
