Legendary Bristol carpet shop owner to retire after almost 65 years

A legendary Bristol carpet shop owner is retiring from his business after 64 years. 

David Gibbs, who founded Bristol Carpets in 1960, has decided now is the time to “take it a bit steady”.         

The 85-year-old, who still works seven days a week at the shop on Chapel Lane in Fishponds, is handing the reins over to his family.          

“I think it’s about time to step down and have a bit of me time,” David told BristolWorld, in between greeting customers.   

He first started working as a carpet fitter for the former Co-Op on Castle Street in Bristol when he was just 14.        

After serving two years in the National Service, he then started carpet fitting on his own - the beginnings on Bristol Carpets.           

“We were carpet fitting for big stores - Maggs in Bristol and all the other shops - and then we saw the opening to start supplying,” David added.     

“We were the first to get into the discount market - which was probably a dirty word back then - and went into cash and carry.”        

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The retail carpet showroom is now one of the largest in the South West, stocking more than 100,000 sq m of carpet, vinyl and LVT flooring.    

With a leaving date yet to be decided, the store is currently running a retirement sale ahead of David’s departure.   

Despite retiring, he plans to continue with his charity work, raising funds this year for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.

He is handing his business over to his son John, daughter Debra, and grandson Jake - who currently work alongside him.     

David continued: “I come in, they normally got a cup of tea ready and I really enjoy meeting people and greeting them.      

“I think it’s the personal touch that’s made it successful.  

“We give people value for money, that’s why they come back and a lot of them like to support a local company.”    

Debra, who with her brother has worked in Bristol Carpets for more than 40 years, said it will be “big shoes to fill” when her father eventually leaves.         

“It will be very different to not see him on the chair to greet people at the door,” she said. “He will be really missed.”