A DUDLEY shop fitters is celebrating 50 years of making shop of they are today.

The Alan Nuttall Partnership, which has its largest division in Hall Street, was set up by Alan Nuttall in his garage on his wife’s birthday, September 2, 1966, at the age of 24 with just £137.

Now employing 600 members of staff working from a million square foot of manufacturing, engineering and office space, it has grown from a small display firm into a multi award-winning interior fit-put and display business, which counts many of the UK’s top retail and hospitality brands amongst its customers.

Mr Nuttall, who revolutionised the way fruit and veg was sold by creating the first self-serve counter system that is still used by supermarkets today, said he was very proud of the business.

“There have been enormous changes within the industry over the years and many hurdles to overcome, but we have adapted and grown with these challenges to become leaders in what we do,” he said.

“I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating the first 50 years and look forward to the next chapter in our history.”

Seeing growth of 35 per cent in the last decade, today Nuttall’s offers a wide range of services, including interior fit-out, design and build, signage, refrigeration and display equipment for retail, commercial, hospitality, leisure, foodservice and public sectors. Clients include airports and universities across the UK through to premium and high street brands across the globe.

Over the last 50 years, the company has picked up a number of accolades for projects, including awards for design, innovation - including the prestigious Queen’s award - and health and safety.

As a key player in the retail sports sector, Nuttall’s has just completed the fit-out of West Ham United’s club shop, along with a casual dining area for fans, at the new London stadium. The company also delivered the first size? store, a brand of JD Sports, in Madrid, Spain. Expanding the international portfolio, Nuttall’s works on multiple global store concepts for clients such as Calvin Klein, Monsoon Accessorize and Topshop across the United States. Continuing global endeavours include signage for Holland & Barrett in Sweden, as well as exporting Nuttall’s own manufactured specialist foodservice products and solutions across the world.

One of the company’s proudest achievements was becoming an employee-owned partnership last year, with every employee becoming a partner – from skilled joiners, experienced sheet metal engineers, project managers and designers to support team staff – all now receiving a share of profits.

For more information on Nuttall’s, visit nuttalls.co.uk or call 01455 638300.