One of Leicestershire’s oldest family-run businesses, Charles Bentley & Son Ltd, is celebrating a remarkable milestone in 2025 as it celebrates 165 years of trading.
Founded in Loughborough in 1860, the business has grown from humble beginnings as a small brush-making enterprise into the UK’s leading manufacturer of quality brushware and a trusted name supplying a wide range of home, garden, and leisure products.
The anniversary comes at a landmark moment for the company, as James Bentley steps up to take the reins of the business, becoming the sixth generation of the Bentley family to lead the firm. James’ promotion signals a new era for the company, blending fresh ideas with the values and traditions that have guided the business for over a century and a half.
Reflecting on the milestone, James Bentley said: “Celebrating 165 years is an extraordinary achievement and a moment for us to reflect on how far we’ve come as a family and a business. What began here in Loughborough with my great-great-great-grandfather making brushes for chimney sweeps in the Victorian era has grown into a company that now produces and supplies a wide range of products for households across the country. I’m proud to be continuing our family’s legacy, and equally proud of the loyal team of colleagues who make Charles Bentley what it is today.”
As one of Loughborough’s longest-established employers, Charles Bentley has forged a strong and enduring bond with the local community. The company’s proud heritage is reflected in the exceptional loyalty of its workforce – many employees have dedicated decades of service, with several families contributing across multiple generations. This year alone, five team members celebrated 25 years with the company, while another marked an impressive 30-year milestone. Such remarkable dedication underscores Charles Bentley’s reputation as a trusted, supportive, and people-focused employer that values its staff as the cornerstone of its success.
The depth of experience and commitment among the team has been instrumental in driving the company’s continued growth and innovation. This collective expertise has nurtured a positive workplace culture founded on collaboration, shared values, and mutual respect – qualities that resonate far beyond the factory floor. By championing long-term employment and community engagement, Charles Bentley continues to play a vital role in sustaining Loughborough’s local economy while upholding the traditions and values that have defined the business for generations.
Through its sustained investment in local employment and development, Charles Bentley fulfils a vital role in the town’s economic and social fabric. Despite its long history, the company has never stood still. Over the years, Charles Bentley has continually adapted to the changing needs of consumers, expanding from brushes into a wide range of products, embracing e-commerce, and investing in new technology to remain competitive in a fast-moving retail landscape. Today, the business continues to balance its heritage with innovation, supplying products designed to help people enjoy and care for their homes and gardens.
Over its 165 years, Charles Bentley & Son has not only weathered changing market tides but has thrived. The company has driven capital investment in Loughborough, with a £400k automation upgrade that boosted brush-making capacity by a third, and a further significant site expansion planned for the coming months.
Its success has also been recognised with multiple industry awards. The business was named Family Business of the Year at the Niche Business Awards in 2020 and 2021, won the Retailer Support Initiative Award in 2021, and received the Manufacturing Excellence Award at the Midlands Family Business Awards in 2019.
James added: “Our roots will always be at the heart of what we do. As we look to the future, we want to honour the values that have shaped the business over the past 165 years while also embracing new opportunities. We have some big plans in the pipeline, including an expansion of our site here in Loughborough and the launch of an exciting new product range in spring. Watch this space!”
