Introduction to L & F Jones Holdings Limited

The Centurion Hotel is division of L & F Jones Holdings Limited established in November 1911 by Catherine Lucy Jones by opening a small shop and café in nearby Stratton on the Fosse. Catherine named the business L & F Jones after her two daughters Leona and Frances.

The shop was such a success that it was replaced in 1929 by a larger premises, this included a function room catering for dinners and wedding receptions.

In 1936 the management was taken over by her eldest son Basil Leo Jones.

Four of Basil’s 6 sons joined the business in the 1960’s, Laurence, Christopher, Peter and Richard.

Each brother managed a local shop, these were located at Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Peasedown, Paulton and Trowbridge.

The old café in Stratton on the Fosse became the first wholesale cash and carry in the area.

By 1971 larger premises had to be found and the business moved to Radstock (on the site of what is now now Charlton Wood Merchants). Peter left the business in the late 1970’s.

The Wholesale business, from its humble beginnings at Stratton on the Fosse, grew from strength to strength and soon after the 4 shops were sold to enable the brothers to concentrate on growing the Cash & Carry business.

As the business expanded a catering depot was purchased in Shepton Mallet in 1977.

In 1983 the Cash & Carry relocated from Radstock to its present site at Charlton Lane across the road from the hotel.

The Fosseway Country Club was purchased by L & F Jones in 1978, with 9 hole golf course, indoor swimming pool and squash facilities. An outdoor bowls green was added soon after.

The Centurion Hotel was built on this site and opened in April 1987 with 17 rooms. This was enlarged to 44 rooms, a new reception area and lounge in April 1991. Two extra conference rooms were included to make a total of 5 conference rooms available in the complex.

In 1986 the Company acquired Phillips of Weston, a business specialising in the wholesale supply of traditional draught beers, wines and spirits and traded under the name of Jones Beer Supplies.

The Shepton Mallet depot was converted to a similar format and a depot in Chard was also purchased. In 1994 the company sold Jones Beer Supplies to Liquid Assets.

The Cash & Carry has continued to grow and in recent years has developed a strong catering foodservice business.

In 1994 the Company began to develop its Retail Division and currently operates 15 convenience stores in the locality, trading as Jones Convenience Stores.

As the popularity of squash declined, it was decided to close the squash club and replace it with a Fitness Centre and to give the Fosseway Country Club a new image and name.

It is now known as the Centurion Hotel and Fitness Centre, which incorporates the Fosseway Golf Club, swimming facilities and the Centurion Fitness Centre opened in May 2000.

The Fosseway Indoor Bowls Centre opened in 1994. The Centre closed in 2003 and is today leased by Norton Radstock College. The building has been converted into classrooms and is known as the Centurion Vocational Centre.

The latest venture has been within the Leisure Division with improved facilities for the disabled throughout the complex and the development of a new restaurant. ‘Cubros’ bar and restaurant opened in July 2005.

The business is administered centrally by the L & F Jones Holdings Limited comprises of three trading divisions, Wholesale, Retail and Leisure which together employ just under 300 staff.

The company today retains a strong family character with ten members of the family actively involved in the business.