Chichester firm closes its doors after nearly 100 years

A building company passed down through three generations is to close at the end of this month.
DM15221987a.jpg S.T. Clemens & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years. Owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured in the workshop. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180249008DM15221987a.jpg S.T. Clemens & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years. Owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured in the workshop. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180249008
DM15221987a.jpg S.T. Clemens & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years. Owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured in the workshop. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180249008

Chichester resident and owner, Jeremy Clemens, 76, has run S T Clemens and Sons since 1960, following on from his father and grandfather.

The business has worked for a range of organisations, from the West Sussex County Council to the Ministry of Defence in its 93 years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite specialising in renovation and refurbishments ever since the second world war, S T Clemens have always been there for even the smallest of jobs.

DM15221961a.jpg S.T. Clemens & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years. Owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured with an original handcart. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180238008DM15221961a.jpg S.T. Clemens & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years. Owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured with an original handcart. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180238008
DM15221961a.jpg S.T. Clemens & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years. Owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured with an original handcart. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180238008

“Over the years we’ve established a big client base many of whom have relied on us for all sorts of little things such as changing a light bulb,” said Jeremy. “We’ve always been accommodating to those types of requests.”

Originally based in Chapel Street, S T Clemens moved to Lyndhurst Road in 1972 and has remained there since.

Jeremy said: “I think we are the last building company of our size in the area, as a lot of people now go to tradesmen rather than dealing with a company.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“When I began there were about six other companies our size in Chichester, it’s all different now.”

DM15221958a.jpg Clemens S T & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years as owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured right with staff, is retiring.  Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180333008DM15221958a.jpg Clemens S T & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years as owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured right with staff, is retiring.  Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180333008
DM15221958a.jpg Clemens S T & Son, builder in Chichester, closing down after nearly 100 years as owner Jeremy Clemens, pictured right with staff, is retiring. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151016-180333008

S T Clemens has enjoyed a reliable workforce through the decades, reaching a staff of 50 in the 1960s.

“Many of our workmen came to us as apprentices at the age of 15, went off to war then rejoined the company when they returned,” Jeremy said. “A lot of them then worked their entire career with us until they retired at 70, which for me is very satisfying to know they were so happy.”

“It is sad to close the company, seven more years and we would have made 100. The closing down of a business is a considerable task, but once that is done I will be focusing on something more relaxing like my gardening.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/

3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.