Blitzed during the Second World War in 1940, Osborn and Company, tool merchants and cutlers, returned to its old site at 9, High Street, Southampton, in August 1952.

Osborn’s was one of a few private companies in Southampton which was given permission to rebuild on its former site in the town centre.

Henry Osborn started the business in 1872 and then it was acquired in 1902 by a family called Bound, who ran it right up until the company closed in 1965.

When the shop was re-opened 53 years ago, the then Mayor of Southampton, Alderman Edwin Burrow, congratulated the business and reminded guests attending the ceremony that he had known Mr Bound and his family from “the earliest days”.

Alderman Burrow went on to pay tribute to the private traders of the town who were beginning “to see the fruit of reconstruction” in the austere post-war period.

“These traders have been the backbone of the country’s trade down through the years,” said the mayor.

“They have overcome the greatest difficulties caused by the war, and have won through. This characterised all that was best in the business life of the nation.”

It was 13 years later when the decision was taken to close the firm down when Mr Bound reached the age of 80 and there were no more family members to carry on the trade.

Mr Bound told the Daily Echo in 1965: “The question of selling the business, as opposed to just the premises, has not been considered.

“I am of the opinion that although the shop is quite profitable, there would not be much demand for a small shop, with such competition from the larger stores.”