Town and Country Clothing from Ken Varey's Outdoor World

Ken Varey’s Town and Country Wear will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary, a milestone that has caused us to reflect on the past and the many significant events that have led us so far. Though the original Ken Varey has now retired, he has passed on his legacy of dedication to quality and all products sold under his name are still chosen for their impressive reputations.

Ken Varey made his name as a plumber, working for almost 20 years at the job in the Clitheroe area. He then opened a fishing tackle shop, that soon also began to stock a range of quality shooting equipment and outdoor clothing, in Clitheroe’s popular King Street, which was open for the following 9 years. After much success, the premises moved to a larger site to accommodate increasing demand, selling a range of outdoor clothing and accessories.

With so much hard work under his belt, Ken decided to retire at the grand old age of 63, stating quite bluntly that it was "too much hassle to run the shop". After carefully selecting among the various bidders for the highly-successful business, Ken chose the Horkin Group, comprising over 50 staff members and headed by Cllr Kevin Horkin, as the successor to the business.

Kevin Horkin has always been of a business mind, starting his career at the age of 17 by opening a successful market stall in Accrington selling costume jewellery. Full of energy, Kevin simultaneously sold alarm systems door-to-door before heading to a local bar to serve drinks until the early hours. In 1983, Kevin opened the ‘Eye Shop’, his self-conceived idea that offered a selection of ready-made reading glasses, a highly-controversial item at the time due to UK law. Happily, he successfully challenged the law and a new world of vision was opened to thousands of people.

Now bringing his unique talent to Ken Varey’s Town and Country Wear, Kevin Horkin has welcomed many distinguished guests to our stores. most distinguished of all are several members of the Royal Family, who often drop in on one of their visits to the estate of the Duke of Westminster, which is located in the beautiful Hodder Valley. One of the family (though we are tantalisingly not allowed to say which!), said that Ken Varey’s is their favourite shop in the Ribble Valley!

Find out more about the range of country clothing, outdoor wear and accessories that has made Ken Varey’s so revered online

Content writer for Brick technology Ltd, Blackburn, Lancashire.