Everyone has a tale to tell about John, Tom, Terry and Franco, four of Carlisle's best known businessmen.

They are all celebrating forty years in business, so we spoke to each of them about their famous firms. (Sponsored content)


<b>The jewel in Carlisle's crown</b>

As a jeweller, John Beadle's profession has taken him all over the country, but for the past 40 years, Carlisle is the place he has called home.

He launched Beadle & Hill with his former business partner Graeme Hill, in Carlyle's Court, off Fisher Street.

John, who is originally from Sunderland, started out with Collingwood's in his hometown in 1961. “In 1972 I moved to Mappin and Webb which is where I met Graeme,” he says.

“Four years later, in 1976, we decided to set up our own business and we've been here ever since.” John says that although he was happy at Mappin and Webb, it was something he was keen to do.

“I was looking for a new challenge,” he explains. “When the opportunity to open our own shop came, it was something we wanted to do.”

Forty years on since Beadle & Hill first opened its doors, John says he is still proud of the links that the company has forged with the people of Carlisle.

“We offer a very bespoke range which is something that always appeals to people.

“A lot of our business is through word of mouth.

"We often have mothers who have bought from us in the past coming back with their daughters. Having that family connection is something that we're very proud of and we're pleased that our customers are happy to recommend us.”


<b>The hairdresser a cut above the rest</b>

Whatever hairstyle you are thinking of, Tom Boyd has seen it all over the years.

From the popular 1960s beehive and the Purdey, the seventies style inspired by Joanna Lumley's character in The New Avengers or the cutting-edge styles of today, Scotsman Tom has seen many styles come and go.

Born north of the border in Dumbarton, Tom entered the world of hairdressing as a 15-year-old, working as an apprentice for five years at Baxter's in Glasgow.

He later moved on to department store salons, before moving to Carlisle to work at Binn's. He later approached Bullough's for a hairdressing franchise as he looked to become his own boss, creating Bullough's Hair Design and Beauty.

Tom later set up a salon in Penrith, which he sold to an ex-employee before taking Boyd Hair and Beauty on Bank Street – his prime city centre site – and has now been in business for 40 years. “We've been at Bank Street for 12 years now,” Tom says.

“Although I had my own franchise from Bullough's, the opportunity came up to buy what I think is a beautiful building in a brilliant location.

“When I first started out with my own salon, there was me and three stylists. Now we have 18 people working for us. What I enjoy the most is being able to take young people on and get them started on a career.”

Today, Boyd's specialises in offering what it calls “The Three C's” - cutting, colouring and conditioning.

It also prides itself in using top quality products including Kerastase, L'Oreal Professional, GHD and Redken.

*Boyd Hair & Beauty is offering 20% off any hair or beauty service until 30th September. T & Cs apply.


<b>Keeping Carlisle's men on trend for 40 years</b>

Quality clothing and service are at the heart of an independent menswear retailer in Carlisle.

Casanova has been based in St Cuthbert's Lane since it opened 40 years ago. In 2006 it moved into the bigger shop it is now run from.

Terry Foster, who works with his manager Stuart and his son Brandon, set up the business as a 22-year-old man in the city centre street as it was just starting to develop.

"I like it down here. It works well for us," he says. "It's a good walkway through from the car parks. We've got a coffee shop in the street, an alterations shop and the beauticians are expanding as well."

Over the past four decades he says a lot has changed, including fashions which aren't as extreme and are more refined nowadays.

"People shop online but we don't sell online because we like the personal touch to be honest and we're always kept busy. I've never felt the need to," he says.

Even when it comes to stock, Mr Foster doesn't buy online and likes to physically see the products. About six months ahead of season, he does a big buy in London and regularly has brand agents who call in.

With less independent clothing shops nowadays he feels Casanova is able to offer something customers can't find anywhere else and he is continuing to pick up more business every year.

"I get a lot of young guys in now who didn't know the shop was here," said Mr Foster.

"But we still have a nice mature end to it as well. So we have a nice balance and I think that's why I'm probably still here. You've got to adapt over the years and we've managed to do that."

Casanova - named after something he once saw on a beer mat - stocks everything from socks and footwear to suits and casual clothing.

Gant, Lacoste and Paul & Shark are among the casual brands but then there's continental clothing, including German suits and Italian leather shoes.

"I like having some brands that nobody's heard of," says Mr Foster. "Because we go for quality rather than just the brand."

*Casanova is celebrating 10% off everything until 30th September. Ts & Cs apply.


<b>A slice of Italy in the centre of town</b>

Franco Bertoletti has been at the heart of Carlisle's eating out scene for the last four decades.

Chances are if you've dined out in one of the city's array of fine Italian restaurants you've eaten food made by Franco and his team.

His current premises Ristorante Adriano, which the 69-year-old opened in 2004, is being renovated and repaired following Storm Desmond in December But the restaurateur is promising that his 40-year legacy in the city will continue and hopes the new-look premises, on Rickergate, opposite the Civic Centre, will be open in January.

Franco first came to Carlisle in the 1970s when he met his now ex-wife, who was from the city. Shortly after he opened up a restaurant, named Franco's, in Castle Street which he run for 17 years.

He went on to run La Cucina in Lowther Street, Ristorante Michelangelo and Franco's in the city centre's Guildhall building.

After selling most of his stake in Franco's, Mr Bertoletti opened Vivaldi's in Lowther Street. When he opened up the original Franco's in 1974 he was the first Italian restaurant in Carlisle.

"It is one of the hardest businesses to be successful at," he said. "Believe me it's a very tough job, very competitive. You have to be a specific kind of person, you have to be mad. You have to work unsocial hours."

Before settling in Carlisle Franco was travelling around Europe learning different languages and building up experience in the hospitality sector.

He started working helping out in kitchens around the age of 12 and started officially working in the trade as an apprentice at 16.