AS one of Warrington’s oldest family businesses prepares to take its final curtain call Whites Sports has been officially recognised by the
Guinness World Records as the “Oldest Sports Shop” after trading through six generations for 113 years.
The Official Guinness World Record Certificate will be presented to the White family on Friday May 30 at half time during the Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos match which is LIVE on Sky Sports!
Once a chain of shops in Stockton Heath, Knutsford and Warrington, current owner Susan White has decided it is now time to retire and will be closing down later this month.
The business was established by Mr J.E.White in April 1901 and eventually handed the business onto his eldest son, Norman White in 1940, who then past it onto his two sons John and Paul White in 1969.
Since losing John and Paul in 2009 and 2007, Paul’s wife Susan (68) has successfully run the business in Warrington Market.
Susan said: “It is an amazing achievement and behalf of all the White family past and present I would like to say a huge thank you to all customers and staff that have been loyal and good friends over the years. Winning the Guinness World Record is the perfect bookend to 113 years of trading in our beloved town centre. Plesae do pop in and say hello and goodbye before we go!”
After some 40 years Susan is now retiring and is delighted to welcome her son Adam White (41) to now help keep the heritage of Whites Sports Shop alive and online with the www.whitessports.com. You can now visit the website and see the Guinness World Record submission and you still have chance to pop into the shop in Warrington Market to say goodbye and pick up a limited edition Whites1901 heritage t-shirt.
Meanwhile the Whites1901 Heritage Wall was unveiled in Warrington Market Hall in March 2014 by the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Peter Carey and Warrington Wolves Rugby League star Ryan Atkins. Missed it? Fear not, it will be on display at the Halliwell Jones Stadium (south stand) for the Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos home match on the 30th May 2014.
Adam White, Susan’s youngest son added: “We may be leaving the town centre but will still be trading and sharing our 113 year heritage online at www.whitessports.com. The website will allow customers to continue to purchase their favourite flags, darts, bowls and snooker accessories from Whites Sports.”
From the late 1960’s to the mid 1980’s they also had shops in Stockton Heath, opened by Liverpool and England ‘66 world cup winner Roger Hunt and Knutsford, opened by rugby league legend Alex Murphy.
Top picture shows (L-R_ Roger, Susan and Adam White.
The old shop in Sankey Street in 1964
