Our  History

1860 – 1900s

Edward Bownes (born 1848) arrives in Cheshire from Mansfield. He goes into business with Mr Manton from Northwich as a greengrocer and licenced tea dealer.

In the 1870s Edward moved his business to Winsford, owning several shops. His wife Hannah managed the shop on the Old High Street until her death in 1942.

1900 – 1920

SPQR appears on shop fronts and stationery. Small Profit Quick Return.

Edwards son John (Jack) William (born 1878) goes into business as a butcher & grocer. He opens a furniture shop in Winsford Market Place. He moved to Marton, Whitegate and rents a yard from Lord Delamere which he later purchased in 1928.

1920 – 1950

Business expanded to include wholesale fruit & veg, household goods, horses, used vehicles (motorised & horsedrawn), horsedrawn farm machinery, building supplies & road haulage. A ‘Dealer in Everything’.

1950’s

John William passed away in 1950 and his only son Edward (Ted) Herd Bownes (born 1913) took over the family business. His son John Edward (born 1939) buys his first tractor, a Ferguson Petrol, from a sale in Little Budworth.

In 1959 they started advertising as a Farm machinery Dealer.

1960’s

Ted started trading as EH Bownes & Son and the Farm Machinery dealership began to expand with the help of his son, John Edward.

1970’s

John Christopher Bownes (born 1960) joined the family business in 1976. Edward (Ted) passed away in 1979.

On 1st November a limited company was formed, John Bownes Ltd, its share holders being John Edwards, his wife Ethel and his son John Christopher Bownes.

1980s

During the 80’s John Bownes Ltd became agents of IMT, Roadless & Renault.

The company became well known for its good selection of used tractors.

1990s

John Daniel Bownes (born 1982) joined the family business in 1998.

2000’s

John Bownes Ltd moved to its current premises in 2000.

In 2005 the business was appointed the Valtra Franchise.

In 2007 the business bought the rights & parts off Roadless Tractors that ceased trading in 1983.

2010’s

Ethel retired from the company.

The business became main dealers for Amazone, Krone & Solis.

In 2017 the business was appointed as a JCB dealer, (ending in 2022).

2020’s

On the 31st August 2020 John Edward passed away.

Currently the business is in the process of purchasing a new premises in Mold, North Wales which should hopefully be opening its doors to the public later in 2024.