Ruffords Country Store is part of Clarke and Pulman, an independent family company est. in 2003. Ged Clarke the Managing Director joined an agricultural tractor and machinery business, as an apprentice sales person. Progressing his way up the ladder resulted in Massey Ferguson recognising Ged’s potential and keen enthusiasm. This resulted in Ged being offered the Massey Ferguson Franchise for the Ormskirk region. Ged readily accepted the challenge in 2003, establishing Clarke and Pulman, further franchises followed; Fendt, JCB, Kverneland and Valtra. All of this situated at his site in Burscough near Ormskirk. Ged’s vision and dedication to the business brought about further inspiration; he had the desire to venture into the Country Clothing sector, complementing his now successful agricultural dealership. In 2017 the acquisition of the Claughton-on-Brock, Garstang branch allowed Ged to make his vision into a reality.
Rufford’s was born and opened in November of 2018 and has been fantastically received, going from strength to strength in just a few short months. The desire and aim are to provide a friendly, first class service together with an enjoyable shopping experience for the community for years to come. The store is run by his daughter Becky Clarke at the Claughton-on-Brock, Garstang branch and is the go-to place in the area for country lifestyle wear. Attached onto Clarke and Pulman and Rufford’s Country Store is also Garstang Tyre Services.
The garage offers tyre services and MOT’s and the trio of business’s work very well together to give waiting customers a place to go, get a tea or coffee and browse the retail stores.
Rufford’s Country Store offers clothing and footwear ranges for Men, Ladies and Children plus has a wide range of giftware and homeware. Being situated on Garstang Road in Claughton-on-Brock gives the store a great advantage for passing custom plus the benefit of having its own free car park for easy access. Plus with development in the immediate area both residential and commercial the region is only going to become busier. The country lifestyle section is one that has been long standing in the retail industry. Being from a country and equine background the whole Clarke family and many of their employees understand customers and what they want from the store. The store boasts some amazing brands such as Dubarry of Ireland, Fairfax and Favor, R.M Williams, Musto and many more. One of the latest brands to be introduced is Hicks and Hides. 17 year old Bridie Hicks founded Hicks and Hides in 2010. Now manufacturing, designing and supplying unique belts, dog collars and leads, purses, wallets, travel-wear and other shooting accessories, Hicks and Hides has developed into a country wear icon.
Based in the idyllic village of Broadway in the Cotswolds, their rustic workshop and showroom promote the heart of our business where they create their bespoke designs. All of their Belts, Dog Collars and Leads are started and finished by hand in England, using the very finest leather. All of their fittings are crafted to the highest standard using solid brass and steel (nickel plated), to complement their signature addition of recycled shotgun cartridges or rifle brass casings.
They really are a go to brand for giftware or even something to treat yourself with. As a whole Rufford’s Country Store has been greatly received, with many customers proclaiming that ‘we have needed something like this in the area for too long’. The positivity has been great to hear and hopefully in the years to come the name Rufford’s Country Store will only grow.