Flitwick family firm D & G Short celebrates a century at the heart of the community

From hand-sifted gravel in the 1920s to high-tech security systems today, D & G Short in Flitwick marks 100 years of family enterprise, resilience and community spirit.

A Flitwick family business with roots stretching back to the 1920s is celebrating 100 years of trade this year — honouring five generations who have shaped its remarkable story.

The journey began in 1926, when Charles Short opened a small greengrocery at 19 Station Road, Flitwick. Having built the house himself with profits from hand-digging and selling gravel to local builders, Charles and his wife May began selling vegetables grown on the land around the shop.

Following Charles’s death in 1936, May transformed the business into a hat shop and seed merchant, selling Coopers Seeds as wartime trade declined.

After the Second World War, the next generation stepped in. Gwen Short took over the running of the shop in 1945, and when Dennis Short returned from RAF service in India, the couple expanded the range to include toys, garden tools and hardware. The business, then known as G L Short the Garden Shop, gradually evolved into a thriving DIY and hardware store.

By the 1960s, Dennis and Gwen were running what became known as D & G Short. The shop diversified further, adding Dulux ICI and Crown paints — becoming the first independent store to sell ICI paint — alongside ironmongery, paraffin sales, glass cutting, wallpaper orders and even dry cleaning services.

In 1966, Barry Short joined his parents in the business, later alongside his wife Ruth. The couple helped grow the store’s reputation across Bedfordshire, eventually shifting focus from garden supplies to the booming DIY trade of the 1970s. When Dennis and Gwen retired in 1979, Barry and Ruth took the reins.

The 1980s saw further expansion, including the introduction of a locksmith and key cutting service. During heightened security concerns in the county in the early 1980s, Barry featured in the press fitting window locks — a move that significantly boosted the company’s security profile.

A second shop, Mr Fixit, opened briefly in the mid-1980s, while the main Station Road premises expanded. The business also delivered Calor Gas bottles and sold Raleigh and Diamond Back bikes — with family members recalling Christmas Eve deliveries across the area.

By the 1990s, the locksmith side of the company had grown rapidly, offering a 24-hour service and expanding into perimeter security, including automated gates, access control systems, barriers and shutters for homes and businesses.

In 2009, siblings Chris and Vicki Short — the fourth generation — took over day-to-day running of the firm following Vicki’s career in marketing. With the rise of major DIY chains and online shopping, the family made the difficult decision to relocate from the original Station Road site, which was later sensitively redeveloped as Charles Short House.

The business moved to a smaller unit at number 7 Station Road, refocusing on locksmithing, security products and a curated range of DIY essentials. Long-serving staff members continue to play a key role in maintaining the shop’s reputation for expert advice and personal service.

In 2019, Tom Short became the fifth generation to join the company, specialising in automated gate installation and perimeter security solutions — ensuring the family legacy continues into a new technological era.

The family has also marked poignant moments in recent years. Gwen Short passed away in July 2022 aged 100, proud to see the business thrive across a century of change. Barry Short sadly died in December 2024, remembered not only for his leadership at D & G Short but for his wider contributions to the community, including involvement with local sports clubs and business ventures.

Today, Chris and Vicki proudly lead the company as it celebrates its centenary — honouring the resilience, adaptability and community spirit that have defined D & G Short for 100 years.

A business built on hand-sifted gravel has become a cornerstone of Flitwick life — and the Short family legacy shows no signs of slowing down.