A Slice of Dorking History

Dorking Stoves has been trading in Dorking for over 40 years.  The current site at South Holmwood has been our home for nearly 18 years now. Before that, we had ten happy years at Leonard House in Vincent Lane (now CTD Tiles) – in fact, the Holly and Laurel and Leonard House overlapped for about three years whilst we got everything set up at Holmwood. Before that our base was at 76 South Street (now The Vineyard), with a warehouse unit in Vincent Works (now Lidl.)

The Current limited company is family-owned and family run and started its life at 76 South Street in 1991 – nearly 25 years ago. The same directors still own and run it today.

Those old enough might remember that before Dorking Stoves moved in, 76 South Street was home to Swadlings the local toy and baby goods shop.

Before moving to South Street (circa 1976), Dorking Stoves traded from a shop at the far end of the High Street. In rough terms, this was the unit which is now the restaurant area for the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant (the seating part). At this time, and later whilst at South Street, Dorking Stoves used to rent out the basement warehouse of the old Embassy Cinema which is now the site of Pippbrook council offices (and its car park in particular).