In the heart of Cheltenham, tucked along Fairview Road, stands a business that has quietly outlasted empires, economic swings and the relentless march of modern retail.

George Bence & Sons (Cheltenham) Ltd is not merely a builders’ merchant; it is a living thread in the fabric of Gloucestershire’s commercial and architectural history.

Founded in 1854, George Bence & Sons began life in an era when deliveries were made by horse and cart and Cheltenham itself was still basking in its Regency heyday. While countless firms of similar vintage have disappeared or been absorbed into national chains, Bence has remained resolutely independent—and, perhaps more remarkably, family-run.

That continuity is more than a point of pride; it informs the company’s ethos, where relationships and reputation carry as much weight as stock and supply.

Step inside today and the scale of the operation quickly becomes apparent. What began as a traditional merchant has evolved into a comprehensive supplier serving everyone from seasoned tradespeople to ambitious home improvers. The shelves and yards are stocked with everything required to build, renovate or refine a property: bricks and blocks, timber and insulation, roofing systems, tools, plumbing supplies, and landscaping materials. It is the sort of place where a builder can source an entire project—or where a homeowner might begin one.

Yet to think of Bence purely in terms of bricks and mortar would be to miss a key part of its modern identity. In recent years, the company has invested heavily in its showroom offering, most notably through its striking “Obsidian” space.

Here, the tone shifts from functional to aspirational. Kitchens and bathrooms are presented not as necessities but as design statements, with curated displays that would not look out of place in a London design studio. It is a reminder that today’s builders’ merchant must cater as much to lifestyle as to logistics.

As Paul Bence, sixth generation Managing Director explains:

“We are a family business steeped in history and heritage but that isn’t a golden ticket for long term survival. We have worked hard to continually evolve and remain relevant in the world we are doing business in today.”

Like many family firms today, Paul and the team are having to deal with everything that the prevailing geopolitical and economic environment throws at them, with the war in the Middle East adding more complexity to the ever changing business world.

As Paul continues,

“It is not easy being in business today but as a family firm we have survived two world wars, eight pandemics and 14 recessions and will find a way through. Recent changes to business rates, the national living wage, the employment rights bill and changes to inheritance tax rules are also having an impact but we continue to press forward, monitoring costs, diversifying to spread risk and innovate wherever possible.”

Behind the scenes, the business runs with the efficiency one would expect of a contemporary operation. A fleet of vehicles—ranging from standard delivery lorries to specialist crane-equipped trucks—fans out across a roughly 40-mile radius, supplying building sites, homes and developments throughout the region. It is a far cry from the firm’s 19th-century beginnings, yet the principle remains unchanged: getting the right materials to the right place, reliably.

Recognition has followed. Over the years, George Bence & Sons has collected a string of industry accolades, including honours for family business excellence and showroom design. Such awards, however, seem almost incidental to its standing locally.

In Cheltenham and beyond, the name “Bence” carries a certain quiet authority—a shorthand for dependability built up over generations.

What ultimately sets the company apart is its ability to balance heritage with relevance. In an age dominated by national chains and online ordering, there remains something distinctly valuable about a business where knowledge is personal, service is consistent, and history is tangible. George Bence & Sons has not simply survived for over 170 years; it has adapted, expanded and, in many ways, flourished.

As Paul concludes,

“Being at the helm of a business as old as this is a big responsibility and one that I truly embrace. That doesn’t mean it is easy and to be honest I don’t think that it has ever been so hard, but as a team we work together and continually look to the future."

"Our next generation are young so who knows what the future holds but the business will be there if they decide they want to take it forward into the seventh generation and beyond,”

And so, on Fairview Road, the story continues—one delivery, one project, one customer at a time.