The beginning
Meet Bernie & Stella Spencer.
Lambland (known then as Sheepcote) was originally founded in 1961 and in 1978 Bernie & Stella purchased the company which consisted of the famous Quay Shop on Ilfracombe Harbour along with three derelict shops on Ilfracombe High Street which they lovingly renovated, one became an additonal sheepskin shop and the other two were let.
Several years later, Bernie & Stella moved to Windsor where they opened another sheepskin shop near Windsor Castle, known as Castle Sheepskins. It was a very large premises that ran the width of two streets and proved to be a great success. Shortly after, another shop was then opened in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
The next steps
Introducing Paul & Kristina.
In 1982 Paul (their son) joined the family business and helped run Castle Sheepskins in Windsor with his wife Kristina. Kristina came from a business orientated family, prior to working for Bernie & Stella she managed her fathers business which consisted of 18 shops in the London area. Upon her parents retirement, she came to Castle Sheepskins (Lambland) and established a mail order facility for the shop. During this time, Lambland in Ilfracombe was open and managed by life long friends, John & Chris. Bernie & Stella missed the calm and relaxed pace of North Devon and eventually returned to Ilfracombe.
In 2002, Bernie & Stella retired and Kristina & Paul purchased Lambland and kept the two shops in Ilfracombe, shortly after they saw a gap in the market for an online website, they purchased our warehouse unit known as Lambland Ltd HQ and here we are today.
further future steps
Matthew & Melissa – 3 Generations of Spencer In History.
Lambland Ltd is now managed with the huge help of Paul & Kristina’s two children. Matthew is the main person behind SEO and technical support, he manages one large proportion of the company. Melissa manages the sales and marketing offices with a team of colleagues and her father alongside. Our HQ is based at Mullacott Business Park, a stones throw from the inconic Woolacombe & Croyde in one direction and Exmoor National Park in the other. Our little shop in Ilfracombe is now a small percentage of the business but just as iconic, with visitors from around the country and world, stopping by to see us!
Our Ethos & Values Remain The Same
Lambland may have gone through many years of change but behind the scenes, the family remain at the heart of the company, even though the company has seen in three generations, our traditional values are forever honoured.
Paul & Kristina have witnessed huge change within the industry, it is becoming even more prevalent to support British & European manufacturing, which is why we continue to proudly maintain our existing relationships with other stockists and workshops, many whom we consider life long friends.
If you know Lambland, you know that we have sold our traditional moccasin footwear since the start, we use the same workshop to this day, the only change is the expansion of our range, giving our customers more choice and with the promise of traditional craftsmanship.
