The retailer has its humble beginnings in Liverpool
The retailer has its humble beginnings in Liverpool(Image: Wales Online)
Home Bargains did not start off with the name most people across the UK know it as today. When the discount retailer was founded in 1976 by Tom Morris in Liverpool, it actually operated under the name “Home and Bargain”, a name that most Scousers continue to use.
As the company outgrew its local roots and became a nationwide household name, a major rebranding took place and the company changed its name in 1995. Along with the name change came a new blue and red logo that is still used today, designed by another member of the Morris family, Anton Morris.
Back in 1976, 21-year-old Tom Morris, who was one of seven children, opened the first branch of what was then Home and Bargain. He reportedly used money from a bank overdraft to fund his business idea. 49 years since the company launched, Tom now finds himself as the richest Scouser to have ever lived, according to the latest Sunday Times rich list.
From left, Joe Morris of Home Bargains, Francis O’Brien of Arrowcroft, Tom Morris of Home Bargains and Christopher Fox of Arrowcroft, pictured in 2001(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
The discount Home Bargains chain that has given the Morris family their wealth began with one store which opened in Old Swan in the 1970s. It was established by a then-21-year-old Tom, the son of a Scotland Road shopkeeper.
If you were to to call it “Home and Bargain” in front of someone who is not from Liverpool, they may be quick to correct you and tell you that you’re wrong. A video uploaded to TikTok by an unofficial Home Bargains account showed the store and how it looked before the rebrand took place in the 1990s.
The video was captioned: “Throwback to where it all began. As Home Bargains gears up to celebrate 50 incredible years next year, we’ve been looking back at our journey, from our early days as Home and Bargain to the brand you know today.
“From vintage uniforms to old store signs, a lot has changed. But one thing’s stayed the same: our people have always been at the heart of everything we do.”
Images showed the vintage red and white shop sign which read “Home + Bargain” and another saying “Home and Bargain”, pictures also showed the old red uniform worn by the staff in the retailer.
Customers commented to reflect on memories of the shop and some picked up on the name change. One comment said: “Oh so it was called Home and Bargain.” Another customer wrote “I can see why people refuse to call it Home and Bargains.”
LIVERPOOL ECHO Home Bargains at 40. Breck Road store, one of the first.(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Other responses were “I think it should go back to being Home and Bargain” and “So the Scousers are right, it is Home and Bargain. Well done Liverpool, tens, tens across the board” and “See that everyone, Home AND Bargain, don’t come for us Scousers again.”
The first store started with takings of less than £100 per week but the brand has grown into a retail empire with more than 500 shops across the UK. The retailer still has its headquarters here on Merseyside and the owners have certainly not forgotten their humble beginnings.
The last 12 months have seen Home Bargains play a key role in the campaign to save Zoe’s Place. The Morris family’s company TJ Morris covered a crucial £2.5m of the £5m needed to save the charity, keeping it afloat.
Mr Morris has always shunned the limelight. It is his brother Joe Morris who is usually found speaking in public on the Home Bargains founder’s behalf. According to a 2001 Liverpool Daily Post article, Mr Morris worked 12 hour days and his other main business interest was the 60 Hope Street restaurant in Liverpool city centre, but this closed in 2020.