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Messrs. THOMAS DANKS & CO., LIMITED,
Iron, Steel and Metal Merchants, Agricultural, Builders' and Mechanics' Ironmongers, Heating and Electrical Engineers, and Manufacturers of Marble Chimney Pieces, Stoves Grates, and Patent Kitchen Ranges, &c, &c, Thurland Street, Lincoln Street, Sherwood Street, and Cattle Market, NOTTINGHAM.
Telegraphic Address: "DANKS, NOTTINGHAM." Telephone No. 65.
THE history of this successful undertaking should possess exceptional interest to readers of a work dedicated to Nottingham and its mercantile and manufacturing interests, and we therefore preface our description of the comprehensive departments controlled by this firm with a brief account of its foundation and growth.
Thurland Street Premises.
Originally established over sixty years ago by Messrs. Bell and Nixon, the business made rapid headway, and on the death of the first-named, Mr. Danks was taken into partnership, and the style of Danks and Nixon was assumed. On the death of Mr. Nixon the present Managing Director, Mr. J. N. Greenall, became associated with the firm, and some sixteen years ago on the conversion of the concern into a limited company was appointed managing director, a position he has since occupied to the satisfaction of the shareholders in this uniquely successful enterprise.
His colleagues on the Board of Directors are Alderman F. Pullman, J.P., Chairman; Mr. William Danks, and Mr. Henry Gee, the last gentleman also fulfilling the duties of Secretary to the Company.
The premises occupy a spacious area, with frontages to Thurland Street and Lincoln Street, which here meet at right angles; a small portion of the latter frontage, however, not being included in the firm's holding. Special attention of their customers is called to this. Mistakes have been made which have caused trouble and annoyance. On the ground floor is an extensive assortment of builders' ironmongery, and engineers' and joiners' tools, consisting of drilling machines, morticing machines, etc.; also an extensive stock of Milner's and Perry safes, for whom the firm are agents. Turning the corner, into Lincoln Street, we arrive at a large double-fronted shop, presenting an attractive display of furnishing goods, including a great variety of new and artistic designs in lamps, gasaliers, hall lamps, brass and art metal goods, Rodgers cutlery and James Dixon & Son'selectro plate, with other useful and decorative articles incidental to this department. We are next introduced to some fine show rooms, devoted to the exhibition of a splendid selection of mantel pieces in mahogany, walnut, oak and pine with overmantels to match, designed to suit the various styles of architecture. There is also an extensive stock of chimney pieces, in Italian, Belgium, English and: Irish marbles, varying in price from £1 to £30, suitable for cottage, villa, or mansion.
An Avenue in Showroom.
The stock of fire grates includes the latest inventions, amongst which is the "Wells Fire," admitted by all users to surpass anything before known for economy and cleanliness. The aim of best authorities on fire grate construction is secured by these grates: that is, of passing the air at a very high temperature through the fire; they will burn from 10 to 12 hours without being touched. The "Marlboro'," and "Cambridge," in brass, copper and iron, appear in a variety of styles, all arranged with Minton's tile hearths and panels, brass and iron kerbs, fire brasses and screens en suite, while suspended from the ceiling are some beautiful wrought iron, brass and copper chandeliers, and hall lamps. There are two other large show rooms devoted to this extensive display, the extent of which is a surprise to all visitors. Next to this is a showroom devoted to cooking ranges, amongst which is the "Eagle," with all the latest improvments in use. This range has glass or transparent doors to ovens, the importance of which must be obvious to everyone. There is no occasion whatever for food of any description being served in a semi-burned or half-cooked state; everything can be cooked or browned to the utmost nicety without trouble. Attached to these ovens is a heat indicator or thermometer. Guesswork which largely enters in both baking and roasting is entirely superseded. The required heat for cooking the different foods is given, while the indicator shows when the oven is at the temperature needed at a glance. In addition to this there is the "Swinton," the "Combined," "Excelsior," and other well-known makes.