Our Story

In 1896, the premises on Long Row, which were rented by the company, were put up for sale. Intending to bid for the property, Thomas Fox went to the auction rooms, where he was approached by a gentleman who informed him, that he was acting for a local charity organisation, who intended to purchase the property at any price. He advised Thomas Fox, that it was therefore futile for him to bid, but assured him, that provided he did not bid against the company, he would be provided with a shop on the site once it had been re-developed and that he, or his successor in the Gauntley family, would be granted the appropriate lease.

Unable to compete with the buying power of the organisation, TF Gauntley accepted the terms, moving his family to a house in West Bridgford and for a temporary measure, the business was moved to Smithy Row. The charity honoured this ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and although a slightly smaller premises than the company had previously occupied, Gauntleys was able to return to the newly converted building on Long Row, where it stayed until the charity decided to sell the lease to Messrs Littlewoods Stores Ltd, who soon chose to redevelop the site and the neighbouring, Black Boy Hotel in 1970.

Thomas Fox’s eldest son, Thomas Cella, (born in 1886), joined the business and helped his father continue to expand, offering the same outstanding service and developing an exceptional range of tobacco products.

The reputation of Gauntleys can be seen in the following extract from the ‘Cigar and Tobacco World’, dated May 1^st, 1914

‘In the matter of distribution of tobacco goods, Nottingham is undoubtedly well and truly served, for there are quite a number of very fine wholesale and retail concerns in the town, the principal establishment being located, as is frequently the case, within a comparatively small radius. There is, or was an ancient maxim that ‘He who knows not Seville, knows not Spain’ and I might suitably paraphrase this with, ‘He who know not Gauntley knows not the tobacco trade’.

Indeed, it was said that it would be difficult to find a Nottingham tobacconist better known or respected than Mr T. F. Gauntley of Long Row. It is reported that to suppliers, manufacturers and valued customers, Mr Gauntley was always courteous and attentive, full of sound sense and practicable knowledge and a valued friend to many.

Thomas Cella Gauntley continued with his father’s dedication and enthusiasm. One of the busiest days of the year at that time, was when the fair came to town. In those days the famous ‘Goose Fair’, was located in the Market Square and on the Goose Fair Saturday, Gauntleys would remain open until midnight, regularly selling 2,500 cigars in the single day!

The business continued to prosper, successfully surviving both world wars and the recession of the 1930S, Mr Michael J Gauntley, joined the company in 1947, on his release from the Navy.

Gauntleys became a private company, with Mr Michael J Gauntley appointed as Managing Director.

Over the following years the company significantly expanded, establishing branches on Carrington Street, (with a barber’s shop at the back), Mansfield Road, (where a tobacco warehouse was also developed), St. James’s Street, Bridlesmith Gate and High Street.

Departments were also opened in out-of-town stores including at ‘Gem’, in West Bridgford, Safeway in Sheffield, plus others in Preston and Chesterfield.

Despite the success of the new stores, Long Row remained the prime location, attracting custom from throughout the company. This was not only put down to the wide selection and quality of the products, but also to the knowledge and personal service of the long serving staff and branch managers.

Mr Percy Lewington, who was manager from 1938 until his death in 1968 and his successor, Mr George Morris, who had also spent his entire working life in the tobacco trade and possessed an unrivalled knowledge of the products offered. Due to the demolition of the Long Row site, Gauntleys re-located to their current site at 4 High Street, the Exchange Arcade in around 1970.

John Gauntley joined his father Michael in the business in 1982.

Whilst initially this was intended as a temporary position during his gap year before heading to university to study pharmacy.. fate had other plans, leading to an unexpected change in direction.

It was a gift for John’s 21^st birthday, from the family friend, Alan Trease, the owner/managing director of local wine merchant, Weaver’s of Nottingham, which was to have a significant influence on the direction of the company.

The present concerned, was Hugh Johnson’s World Atlas of Wine, which immediately ignited a new-found and never-ending passion.

Determined to discover all he could about the mysterious world of wine, John not only began studying with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, but ventured off on his quest to find the vineyards, meet the vignerons and to explore the vast, vinous world.

His voyages of discovery soon led him to the Rhone Valley, which was to become, the region closest to his heart.

Firmly believing that an exciting range of wine and spirits, would complement the company’s fine cigars, he began by introducing a small, but meticulously selected collection in 1988.

I (Victoria Rogers) am proud to have been part of John’s vinous ‘journey’, from one of the very first chapters, joining the company a couple of years after the creation of the wine department, having met whilst we were both studying for our WSET Diploma.

Unlike most other merchants in the mid 1980s, he never set out to create a list of all the expected references, but only ever purchased wines that he found truly inspiring. Hence, still today, we currently have no wines from Bordeaux or Chablis!

From the very early days, wherever possible, the wines were selected in the cellars of the vignerons, necessitating numerous trips throughout the year.

John’s incredible joie de vivre and enthusiasm for each of the estates he worked with, was infectious, not just to our own clients, but also, I believe, to the growers themselves. This is possibly one reason that the business changed from merely importing wines, to representing some of the wine world’s most exceptional estates.

John Gauntley left us far too soon, passing away in July 2020 and the company is now owned by Dr Karen Gauntley.

All the loyal and dedicated team members that worked alongside John have remained with the company and with his two sons, Sam and Tom Gauntley, (T F Gauntley 2^nd), now both involved in the business, Gauntleys continues today, with the same passion and dedication that has always been the company’ Ethos.