Company profile
G. Baldwin & Co is London's oldest and most established Herbalist. The company was founded by George Baldwin in 1844 and was originally based at 77 Walworth Road, South East London. G. Baldwin Thrived over the next 50 years, eventually peaking at 12 shops around the London area.
When George Baldwin died at the turn of the century, his son (also George) took over the business. Young George was an engineer and had no great interest in the business. As managers left or died the shops closed down.
At the end of the First World War Henry Dagnell joined Baldwins. His role was to restore the failing G. Baldwin business. One of his more colourful tasks was to collect all unsold stock from the various G. Baldwin shops as they closed using a hand barrow he would deliver the stock back to 77 Walworth Road.
By 1925 only the original shop remained and this was now owned by Mr Parkin with Mr Dagnell installed as Manager. It wasn't until Mr Parkins death in 1951 that Henry Dagnell purchased the company for which he had now worked for over 30 years. He was joined by his son Henry Dagnell.
In 1969, Baldwins was forced by development work to relocate to 173 Walworth Road where they are still based today. Over twenty years on, this shop still has a nostalgic atmosphere of stepping back in time. Wooden floors, high old fashion counters and shelves stacked with herbs, oils and ointments are all reminiscent of a time gone by and emit a cacophony of fragrances.
In 1978 the company bought 171 Walworth Road with the intention of developing into the Health Food Market. It was at this time that G. Baldwin started branching out into areas outside the core business of Herbs and Herbal medicines. Essential and Carrier oils were sourced and sold together with other natural remedies.
In 1981 Mr Dagnell was joined by his son Stephen and the company continued to thrive as the Natural and Alternative Health Industry began to boom. In 1993 Henry Dagnell retired leaving the business to Stephen.
Today the company has a thriving Mail Order business as well as a solid core of customers who visit the shop. G. Baldwin has quietly built a solid reputation based on quality and value for money.
Terrence Stamp was first introduced to the shop by Michael Caine. Max Bygraves is a regular, so too is Martin Shaw and most of Coronation Street's cast have dropped in over the years.
In 1995 Stephen Dagnell started blending some of the best of their own raw materials and launched the Synergy Range which is based on the finest quality essential oils combined with luxurious carrier oils.
The company, which offers complete satisfaction or a full refund, has lived up to its motto of quality, value for money and extensive choice. G. Baldwin is the specialist in the natural remedies field with expertise spanning two families and over 150 years.
