1929 |
Spedan buys land and property in Leckford including his home Leckford Abbas. Later the Abbas became one of the two leisure facilities that remain on the estate today for use by Partners. |
1930s |
Spedan began developing Leckford estate including work on sustainable farming operations, which would have been seen as pioneering. |
1937 |
A holiday facility was built for the use of Partners known as Leckford camp. This leisure facility with wooden lodges and a camping site was provided for Partners as a place to spend time relaxing away from work with their family - as a forward thinking businessman Spedan Lewis realised then the importance of looking after the wellbeing of workers. |
1940s |
Spedan buys land and property in Longstock, expanding the estate. He worked on improving and redesigning Longstock Park water gardens, his own private gardens to his new home Longstock House. Leckford played a role in the second world war, giving over a substantial area of land for an airfield. |
1946 |
Leckford estate officially became part of the John Lewis Partnership, making staff on the estate Partners (co-owners). |
1955 |
Spedan Lewis retired and continued to live on the estate until he later died in X. The farm continued to operate and develop, growing a variety of products and creating new enterprises such as the plant nursery in Longstock. |
2001 |
Leckford Estate became part Waitrose, growing produce to be sold in Waitrose shops and officially became known as The Waitrose Farm. |
2018 |
To recognise the importance of Partners in this co-owned business, the Partnership adds ‘Partners’ to its trading name. The Waitrose Farm became known as The Waitrose & Partners Farm. |
2019 |
The estate celebrated its 90th Birthday hosting a garden party for Partners and local residents. |
The Estate History
Discover the key dates in our history and how the Estate has developed over the years.
