Four Generations of Johnsons of Deddington
We were delighted to be invited by the Deddington News editorial team to write about Johnsons, our long association with the magazine and why we continue to advertise locally.
Our first advert appeared in the Deddington News in 1977 — almost forty years after Johnsons began trading in Deddington. Nearly fifty years later, we are still advertising, still family-owned and managed, and still meeting local residents who tell us, “I never knew you were here!”
Here is the article we wrote for the Deddington News, September 2026 edition.
Our first advert appeared in the Deddington News in 1977. One of the pleasures of advertising in the Deddington News over many years is that people still come into the yard and say, “I never knew you were here!”
Considering Johnsons of Deddington has been trading since 1937, we still hear that remarkably often.
Perhaps it is because our entrance is a little discreet. Perhaps it is because people assume we only sell timber and building materials or that we deal solely with the trade. Whatever the reason, we still enjoy meeting local residents who discover us for the first time, especially those who have lived in the village for years!
Johnsons began trading nearly ninety years ago and remains under the ownership and management of the same family, now into its fourth generation. In a world where businesses often come and go, we are proud to have remained independent, local, and family-run throughout changing times, changing fashions, changing governments and more than a few economic ups and downs. During that time the business has seen everything from a large fire in the yard during the Second World War to the disruption of Covid and, fortunately, Johnsons survived both.
Other than perhaps some of the farms, Johnsons may well now be one of the longest continually family-run businesses in the parish, although we suspect there may be one or two local families willing to challenge that claim.
I never knew you were here!
Over the decades we have seen Deddington and the parish evolve enormously. New homes have appeared, old buildings restored, extensions added, gardens redesigned and countless DIY projects started with confidence and sometimes even completed on budget!
Throughout all of that, we have tried to remain what we have always been: a dependable local merchant where people can buy anything from a few screws to the materials for an entire building project.
One customer may come in for a packet of batteries because the Co-op has sold out. Another might need drain unblocker, a paint brush or bag of sand. Meanwhile, someone else is planning a major renovation and orders enough timber and insulation to keep them busy for months.
Then there is the last-minute Friday afternoon rush when snow or heavy rain is forecast and suddenly residents urgently need rock salt or sandbags.
Many first-time visitors are surprised by the size of the yard and the range of products we stock. From the road, we can appear deceptively modest. Once through the entrance people often discover far more than they expected — timber, hardware, decorating materials, tools, fixings, household essentials and plenty besides.
We have always believed there is real value in having a local business where customers can walk in, explain what they are trying to achieve and speak to someone with practical knowledge and experience. Sometimes people know exactly what they need. Sometimes they arrive with a vague description involving “a thingy that goes behind another thingy.” We understand “thingy”.
Being part of a village community also means that business is about far more than transactions. Over the years we have got to know generations of local families. Some customers first came to Johnsons with their parents and now visit with their own children. Others pop in regularly, not only for materials, but also for a quick chat and a catch-up on local gossip.
That sense of continuity matters.
We understand 'thingy'.
As Deddington continues to grow, with new housing and new residents arriving all the time, we remain grateful for the support the local community has shown us over many decades. Advertising in the parish magazine has always been part of maintaining that connection.
People often assume advertising is simply about attracting new business but for us it is equally about staying visible and reminding local residents that we are here when they need us. Villages change over time. New families move in, others move away and even long-standing residents can be surprised to discover what is tucked away behind our entrance.
The Deddington News reaches exactly the sort of audience we value most; local people. Some readers may only need us once a year for WD40, mousetraps or a replacement gate hinge. Others may be planning a major renovation or garden project or even needing plywood for their YouTube projects.
It is also our way of supporting a publication that helps keep local organisations, events and village life connected. Local businesses and community publications have always depended on one another to some extent and we are pleased to continue playing a small part in that tradition.
Of course, we still smile when someone walks in and says, “I never knew you were here.” After nearly ninety years, we suspect we may still be hearing that for some time!
This article originally appeared in the September 2026 edition of the Deddington News. Johnsons' first advert appeared in the Deddington News in 1977, and we are proud to continue supporting this independent local publication.