Fondly remembered: The Taylor-made seed shop
Sharing a family’s memories of their iconic store in King’s Lynn and their passion for preserving its legacy…
With roots stemming back more than 227 years, Taylor’s seed emporium was once a cherished part of King’s Lynn’s retail landscape. It was one of those delightful independent shops, brimming with vibrancy and variety, that formed the beating heart of the town. Before garden centres and glossy catalogues, gardeners and growers travelled here from far and wide, seeking seeds and sundries to brighten their flowerbeds, nourish their lawns and cultivate their crops.
Housed in a double-fronted Victorian building just a stone’s throw from the High Street, the shop exuded timeless charm. A bell chimed with every customer, polished floorboards creaked underfoot and racks of brightly coloured seed pockets lined the walls. Outside, sacks of seed and baskets of produce grown in the family orchards beckoned passers-by, while inside,
the Taylors were always ready with a warm welcome and expert advice.
From marrows to mangels, pansies to Giant Stride peas and even cucumbers destined for Sandringham House, the family proudly filled the town centre with edible and horticultural delights. Their beloved shop remained a local favourite until 1982, when they served their final customers and closed the doors for the last time.
By then, fourth-generation twins Jim and Bob Taylor were running the business, having worked in the shop since leaving school. Their first pay packets were a princely 30 shillings a week, marking the start of a lifelong commitment. “My job was in the warehouse, unloading deliveries, stocktaking and keeping the shelves full,” Jim fondly recalls. Bob also holds happy memories of his role, adding, “I served the customers, filled the seed pockets and made the tea.”
There were many uplifting moments. Jim remembers the excitement of a surprise visit from the Duke and Duchess of Kent, while Bob still relishes the countless times satisfied customers made a point of telling him how tall their plants had grown.
Like many independents of its time, the shop began facing mounting pressure from shifting retail habits and struggled to meet modern workplace regulations within its Grade II listed premises. Its closure marked the end of a golden era for the town and, though the brothers ran a mobile business for several years, they eventually retired.
“We couldn’t bring ourselves to read about it at the time; it was an emotional moment,” Jim admits. “However, it made us determined to preserve our legacy for future generations. We couldn’t bear the thought of it all being lost.”
It was certainly a story worth saving. The shop’s origins date back to 1770, when John Marshall founded a seed and nursery business in St Germans. His son Thomas later opened a shop on Purfleet Street in King’s Lynn and took on a young John Taylor as an apprentice, tasking him with checking the then-legal mantraps in
Mr Marshall’s garden at dawn.
John quickly mastered the trade, taking over the business in 1849 and buying the shop and warehouse at 142 Norfolk Street six years later. From there, he sowed the seeds of a shopkeeping dynasty that would enrich the town for generations.
With the shop passed down from father to son, the Taylors became pillars of the community. The twins’ grandfather Robert served as a councillor and alderman, and although he declined the role of mayor, a pew in St Nicholas’ Chapel still bears the family name.
Their fertile orchards, once abundant with apples, pears and plums, were compulsorily purchased in the 1970s to make way for housing and the College of West Anglia. All that remains today is a 125-year-old monkey puzzle tree on the college site and a memorial plaque placed there by Jim and Bob in 2010.
Pouring as much passion into showcasing the shop’s history as they did into running it, the twins and their family have made generous donations to museum collections and displays across the county. Memorabilia can be seen at King’s Lynn Museum, while visitors to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse can explore a replica of the shop’s interior. Complete with a polished mahogany counter, seed pockets, pigeonholes and a poison cupboard stocked with vintage remedies, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the store’s former character and charm.
In total, around 6,000 artefacts are now in safe hands. A souvenir range inspired by the colourful vintage designs on the Taylor’s seed pockets and posters was also launched last summer, adding another layer to the legacy.
Displaying immense personal pride in their past, Jim and Bob have held exhibitions, raised funds for local causes and travel across Norfolk giving talks and sharing stories of their family’s heritage. “We had a wonderful exhibition in Lynn Minster in October 2025,” says Jim. “It’s heartening to know so many people still care about the shop.”
Though the doors of the business may be closed, its spirit endures, thanks to the generosity, pride and dedication of the Taylor family. A treasured piece of King’s Lynn’s history, it need never be forgotten.
