IN a world of national chains and global brands, at least one family-owned retailer in Winchester has stood the test of time.

Jack and Gretel Habel opened their first furniture store in the city’s Middle Brook Street in 1945.

The firm is now celebrating its 65th year and is run by their son, Danny, who is in charge of outlets in Winchester and Andover.

The Winchester store – which is the latest to back the Chronicle’s Buy and Shop Local campaign – specialises in beds and has traded in St George’s Street since 1962.

The Andover branch, which is larger and stocks a wider range of goods, opened in 1978 in the former premises of Pond’s furniture store.

Jack and Gretel Habel arrived in Britain in 1939, having fled Berlin as Jewish refugees.

Working on farms during the Second World War, they settled in Winchester and opened a second-hand furniture store.

As times improved, they branched into new furniture and moved to Parchment Street and eventually to Jewry Street. That store closed in 1996 and is now The Old Gaol House pub, but the ‘sleep shop’ in St George’s Street was retained.

Today the firm specialises in quality Western European goods, and 80 per cent of the beds in the Winchester store are made in Britain.

Danny Habel, the managing director, said: “I’m very conscious that it’s my name above the door and we have a very strong interest in maintaining that name and offering an extra level of service free of charge.”

He has run the business for almost 30 years now, having taken over in his mid-20s after finishing his business exams.

“I currently have a daughter at the Westgate School but she’s probably a bit young to take over, so I’m not planning to retire just yet,” he added.

For more details about the firm visit www.habels.co.uk or call 01962 843333.