FAIRWAY Furniture, which has traded in Tavistock for more than 30 years, had much to celebrate last week as the family firm reached 150 years in business. It was in 1856 when John Harding founded his furniture making business in Union Street, Plymouth. The firm, now trading throughout Devon and Cornwall as Fairway Furniture, is celebrating a century and a half of business and remains in the ownership of the Harding family. Current managing director, coincidentally another John Harding, said: ?We are extremely proud to have sustained this business through six generations and are very grateful for the magnificent support of both our customers and our wonderful staff.? The original Union Street premises were destroyed by the German Luftwaffe in 1940 during the Blitz of Plymouth. William Harding, John?s father, returned from war service with the RAF, and with the help of his wife Joan, rebuilt the business on a site in Old Town Street, Plymouth, where it traded as ?Hardings of Drake Circus?. In 1976, the company established the Fairway Furniture business, initially at Tavistock and then in Plymouth, Newton Abbot and St Austell. In 1982, the Drake Circus premises were sold ? that site is now part of the new Drake Circus shopping centre. Fairway Furniture has grown to become one of the largest independent furniture retailers in the country employing almost 100 staff. An anniversary dinner for staff, shareholders and friends was held at the St Mellion Golf and Country Club on October 7 when six staff received long service awards, to mark more than 21 years? service, and the staff presented the company with an engraved clock. The company management is now in the hands of John Harding, managing director and his son, Peter, director and company secretary, who is the sixth generation to serve the business.