It has been passed down through generations - and the community around it 'comes first, second and last'
04:00, 12 Jan 2026
A Leicester company celebrating 130 years of business is "here to stay" according to bosses, who have praised the community around it which "comes first, second and last" for them.
Leicester Glass Company Ltd, which was founded in 1896, has been passed down through generations. The firm was previously known as Stonebridge Glassworks and has been situated in the same location in Stonebridge Street, near Spinney Hills, for 130 years.
Originally opened by the Hartopp family, the business was passed onto the current owners, the Hill family in 1957, with brothers Ron and Geoff Hill taking the company on from their father Sam.
Now marking its major 130th anniversary milestone, the Leicester Glass Company team have spoken of the work in reaching that big number. Amy Benning, one of the colleagues at the store, told Leicestershire Live: "It’s such a special accomplishment for us all to reach 130 years of business, especially when looking at how trade is going across all industries. We’re just so glad to be able to stay open despite hardships."
According to Amy, following Geoff Hill's death, the company was passed down to the two brother's sons, Ian and Braden. The cousins are now the new directors of the business, keeping the store in the family name.
Despite being of an older age, Geoff's brother Ron apparently still pops into the store and "keeps an eye on the place while doing his rounds", showing the passion has not faded in the slightest.
The company has also just welcomed their newest member of staff, Ben, Ian's son, marking the third generation of the Hill family joining the trade.
When asked what the secret is to staying open for 130 years, Amy said loyal customers were at the heart of the business. She said: "Its loyalty, customer loyalty. That is the secret that has kept us going.
"We pride ourselves on the fact that we have never had to advertise anywhere because all of our business comes from word of mouth. The main thing that sets us apart is the quality that we provide in our services, we truly live on the motto of quality over quantity.
"Its that quality of service which has also built such a strong level of trust between us and our customers, just like in any family where trust is key and although I’m not a blood relative of the family, I feel like I am part of a work family here which is like no other."
Building on her relationship with the business, Amy joined the company five years ago but said she feels like she has been there for the whole of the business' 130 years.
The 40-year-old also spoke of the important role the community plays for the company, saying: "Its first, second and last, the community around us is what keeps us going.
"Sometimes people will come in just to say wow you are still here on the same street? And we say yep, we are still here and they are always shocked to know we have never left. Others ring up and say wow I remember coming in 30 or 40 years ago and that is such a special feeling to be a part of."
According to Amy, the company gets orders from across the Midlands - and sometimes even further afield, including from one former Leicester resident who now lives in France.
She said: "We have work requests coming in from across the country, mainly in the Midlands. We even had a customer in France who was from Leicester and wanted our glass delivered over the ferry, because they come to us for the quality and the experience.
"They know there is always a helpful voice at the other end of the phone when they call us."
Asked how it feels to work in one of the county's oldest businesses, Amy said: "We take pride in the fact that we have been running for so long. We have never left Leicester and we love that, so I do not think we ever will. We're here to stay."