A HEREFORD institution since 1845, Philip Morris & Son has been praised for its remarkable longevity and willingness to adapt and improve at an awards ceremony for family businesses.

The Widemarsh Street store scooped the Best Small Family Business Award at the 2014 Midlands Family Business Awards last week in Nottingham.

And the judges were quick to pay tribute to the businesses 169-year history in the industry.

Judge and journalist Dhiren Katwa called the business' life-span “remarkarkable”.

Part of that success comes from an ability to move with the market, and the Hereford store was praised for its growing national presence as an online retailer.

Event sponsor Chris Crouch said: “Philip Morris & Son has been trading since 1845 and embraced innovation in an ever-changing retail market, continuing to thrive by differentiating itself through the quality of its customer service.

“The family has retained a firm set of values, respect for one another and passion and pride for what they do, with a continuing desire to grow their business.

“They have proved themselves to be a worthy winner – a truly inspirational family business.”

The store is now run by Maurice and Bunty Jones – and their sons John and Bruce – after Maurice’s grandfather bought the company from the Morris family in the early-twentieth century.