In Memory of Michael Stephenson

Michael Stephenson joined the family business in 1963 when he was just 16 years old, although he had always been around the original Barton Arcade store since he was a boy. A previous employee and family friend (who also mentored Michael in his early years as Managing Director), Jim Milnes, once recalled, ‘He would often come into work during the school holidays and busy himself around watching, not doing anything because he was too young. He loved to come into the accounts office and was very keen on knowing how the money came in. He was very monetary minded.’

In 1964 when he got his driving license, he worked as a delivery driver for Stephensons. From there, Michael moved into the accounting department, and then into the sales division. By 1968, he had become a member of the board at the age of 21.

Michael had seen Stephensons move from Barton Arcade site to Kennerley works in Stockport, marking a new era for the company. At the age of 23, Michael stepped into the role of Managing Director, taking over from his father, Harold. The year was 1970, and Michael had to steer the ship during a challenging financial period for the business.

The recession of the mid 1970s was tough, but as Michael said, ‘In times of recession past people used to drown their sorrows in the pub, which is no longer the case. It was at this time that people began to see the value of ‘eating houses’, which assisted with the company’s growth with the sale of pottery, cutlery, and all things on the tabletop.’ This shift provided an opportunity for Michael to win two new contracts for Stephensons with Lanchester Taverns South and Scottish Brewers, covering their ‘managed’ eating houses and hotels all over Yorkshire and the West Coast up to Carlisle and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. These contracts would also lead to further business in Newcastle, which was a great win for Stephensons.

The 1980s also brought further recession challenges, but Michael worked closely with other members of the Stephensons team to ensure that the company persevered with smart cost-cutting decisions such as selling off surplus vehicles and reducing stock until customers began ordering more again.

During this period, Michael would also see computer technology being implemented within the business, keeping it up to date with the latest advancements as the world changed. Michael’s wife, Mary, had also made efficient changes throughout the company, and had introduced better administrative systems and ‘bin locations’ to make it easier to store and locate stock in the warehouse.

Despite the challenges of those decades, Michael said of the period, ‘It wasn’t all bad…Business in the 1960s through to the 1990s was mainly a lot of fun. Customers, whilst taking negotiating seriously, enjoyed discussions over lunch…Suppliers were of a similar vein and a considerable amount of the working week was spent entertaining, or being entertained, in the furtherance of business.’

The 1990s bought even more change to the company, including the construction of the Showroom and Cash & Carry at Kennerley works, Stockport. This allowed Stephensons to cater to the professional sector and retail customers. Michael would also see the company start to cater to businesses outside the hospitality industry, including the education and healthcare sector, as well as other leisure businesses.

In the late 90s, Michael’s stepson, Julian, joined the company after previously working in London. Julian’s experience at Ernst and Young had provided him with a good working knowledge of corporate business operations and familiarity with IT systems. This allowed Julian to streamline internal administrative and communication operations and enhance the IT networks for the business.

A few years later in 2005, Michael’s youngest son, Henry, would join the company as Marketing Director, and eventually take over from Michael as Managing Director in 2009. Michael took on the role of Chairman of the Board, a position he kept until his death in October 2025.

Michael worked for his family business for 52 years in various roles, and during this time he saw Stephensons through many highs and lows and always managed to keep the family legacy alive throughout. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.