R Walker and Sons have a deep history rooted in Preston, steeped in experience throughout our long reign and continued success. We are celebrating over 100 years of continued success, and are extremely proud to provide a quality service that has grown and developed with us.
As a family-run business, the Walker family have been an integral ingredient in R Walker & Sons history and now, within the fifth generation of Walkers, they continue to part within our success today.
The Beginning of Our Journey
The Walker family has been involved in the building industry in Lancashire since 1896 when Roger Walker founded the firm. In the beginning, Roger Walker worked as a carpenter, joiner and funeral director, trading from three cottages with a workshop on the first floor.
In the early years of the 20th century, the company began to grow; being involved in building many of the buildings which have established and become a huge part of Preston city centre. This includes the incredibly well known Miller Arcade.
Roger Walker’s three sons; Jack, Norbert and Herbert helped with the running of the business until the start of the Second World War in 1939.
The Challenges we Faced
The Second World War was a great obstacle to overcome. Not only did it affect the business, but is also split the family apart with duties the war required. Even after the war ended, getting back to normality still was a huge task to achieve.
The construction industry was depressed, recession hit, raw materials were rationed, and you needed to obtain a license in order to buy timber. Along with fuel coupons being introduced and increased labour shortages, the road to recovery was a long and difficult one.
Throughout the war, Jack Walker had continued to run the business and was soon joined by his son, Kenneth, in 1946.
Over the coming years, the business continued to increase in family members helping to expand the success of the business. The company has continued to grow each year through quality workmanship and as a reputation as one of Preston’s oldest family companies.
Today, the Walker Windows name has become synonymous with both quality and integrity within the domestic and commercial replacement uPVC window markets.
Fast forward to 2020 and it is the friendly Gayle Walker who plays a major role in the running and expansion of the windows side of the business, set up by her brother Graham in 1988.
With ancestry at the centre of the business we have earned our own special place within the heart of Preston and have become synonymous with the word family.
Our team is dedicated to completing practical and sophisticated construction projects within the healthcare and education sectors and are committed to completing work professionally, without compromising on quality.
If you would like to find out more about our fantastic services and our dedicated team of experts, get in touch with our friendly team today and we will be happy to help with any questions you have.
