Strickland and Holt

Some customers call Strickland & Holt a mini-department store. Sometimes they are described as an Aladdin’s cave.

Call them what you will – they are fondly known as Strickies in these parts – they simply try to offer the best all-round shopping experience you’ll find outside a major city – all from the building they’ve occupied since 1854.

After all, you’ve got to be doing something right to survive the high street’s ups and downs for a century and a half.

They believe we don’t just do it right – they do it differently, with style and traditionally high standards of excellent personal service.

They have evolved pretty much constantly since our foundation in the lovely Georgian town of Yarm-on-Tees back in 1854, by wine and spirit merchant Oliver Strickland and John Holt, a pharmacist.

They remain a family-owned and run business, owned by John Holt’s great-niece, Stephanie Richardson, and managed by husband Paddy Morton.

Always interesting, always varied, they strive to offer the most unusual range of delights for their customers. From gifts and cards for all occasions to pocket money toys. From fashionable clothes for discerning tastes to excellent coffee and delicious bread and cakes – baked fresh in-store.

Their premises stretch way back from their deceptively modest store front on Yarm High Street, with a charming outside seating area next to their café and a dedicated car park with plenty of spaces.

Beyond that, the River Tees rolls lazily past the ghosts of wharves where their founders unloaded their wines, spirits and other imported goods.

And after you’ve had your fill of them, you might savour a stroll along the river. Or sample some of the other delights of this gem of a town.