17/04/2026
On this day, the 17th of April 1976 (Easter Saturday) Sandy's Hardware was born. 50 Years later we are still proudly serving the people of Lordswood. Before Sandy's Hardware it had been, for the first three years, a car and electrical spares shop called Kestrel Karlec, Dad (Sandy, real name Terry) had been made redundant from his engineering job at Twin Disc in Strood and along with Mum Margaret they decided (against the advice of their bank manager!) to buy the lease on 3 Kestrel Road Lordswood. I was only 12 but enjoyed helping out at weekends for the princely sum of £3 a day. One early memory I have is of me sorting the £1 notes in the till so that all the Queens heads were facing the same way and we were still taking 1/2 Pennies and Sixpences. For the first few years Mum and Dad were helped out by two or three staff at any one time but by the early Eighties they were seeing the rise of the DIY Superstores and business had become more challenging. They ran the shop on their own until I joined them full time in 1987.Through the 90's and 2000's Sandy set up Sandy's Handyman and Building Services which he ran from the shop. Both Mum and dad continued to work at the shop into their 80's, 87-year-old Dad still helps out at busier times with deliveries.
A lot of people call me Sandy now that Dads not in the shop. I think some of the younger customers think it's me that originally opened the shop all those years ago. Not sure what that says about my youthful good looks! Lordswood has been a second home for me, Mum and Dad, we have made many friends in that time. We have seen young children come into the shop with their parents only to see them years later, come in with their own young families. Some people just come in for the smell, which often reminds them of their childhood, and we are often told “you don't see shops like this anymore" and “this is like an Aladdin’s Cave".
Sandy's has always been known for having a dog in the shop. Mum and Dads Cairn Terrier Tommy was always in the corner for many years. Now it's my black Cockapoo Tilly who keeps me company. She has her own fan club and be warned if you come into the shop without giving her a fuss, she will bark to let you know she is there. We are proud to be still serving the people of Lordswood after all these years and find it sad that there are so few independent shops like us left. They were the lifeblood of many communities, and we have made lifelong friends of many of our customers.
As many of you know we lost Mum (Mrs Sandy or Margaret) back in 2022 and it's sad she isn't around to see us reach the 50-year milestone. She loved her time at the shop and was such an important part of Sandy's history. We would also like to wish St Davids Church over the way from us a very happy 50th.They like us first opened their doors in 1976.
A mention must also go to my wife Jacky without whom Sandy's Hardware wouldn't have made it to the 50 years. She has been a great support to me and the business over our almost 30 years together. Now I run the shop on my own it means long hours, few holidays and Bank Holidays together are a definite no no!. Jacky has also helped Sandy's Hardware move, kicking and screaming into the digital world and helps manage our page.
Finally, I would like to thank all our customers, old and new, those that have moved away and those that are no longer with us for your support over these last 50 years. We couldn't have done it without you. We hope to see many of you again very soon, particularly as our plant season gets under way for another year and wish you all health and happiness. Lordswood is such a lovely place with so many good people and we feel privileged to have served you for all of these years.
All the best from me Andy, Sandy, Tilly and Jacky.
