Sam Walker, owner and manager of Walker & Ling, stands at the helm of a business steeped in history yet firmly focused on the future. As the fifth-generation leader of this independent, family-run department store, Walker carries forward a legacy that dates back to 1892, all while navigating the rapidly shifting retail landscape. His story is one of embracing change while honouring tradition, making Walker & Ling a true cornerstone of Weston-super-Mare’s high street.
“My career began at birth, I think, with the family business,” Walker says with a smile. Growing up in a household where discussions about the store were as regular as meals, he initially charted a different path. “I decided it wasn’t going to be me and carried on my life on that thread,” he explains. After university, Walker became an English teacher, living in London and enjoying a career far removed from the retail world. However, fate intervened when his wife announced they were expecting a baby. “We decided to move back home and sort of take up the destiny of joining the family business.”
Inheriting a legacy
Walker’s journey back to Walker & Ling was shaped not only by personal circumstances but also by a profound respect for the store’s history. “You inherit a lot of history there, rightly or wrongly,” he reflects. This legacy includes overcoming significant challenges, such as rebuilding the store after it was bombed during World War II. “In 1942, it was burnt to the ground by a bomb,” Walker recounts. The business was rebuilt in the 1950s, equipped with modern features for its time, like a pneumatic tube system for handling cash and a 70-year-old electric lift that remains in use today.
“I’m not really interested in packaging up Superdry T-shirts to send to other parts of the country and competing with Superdry.”
The store’s evolution mirrors that of the retail industry itself. Originally focused on commodities like linens, Walker & Ling has transformed its product range over the years to meet changing customer needs. “The linens department has now gone, actually,” Walker shares, adding with a laugh, “Obviously, I didn’t do such a good job there.”
Walker is quick to emphasise that adapting the store has been a collaborative effort. “Each of the Walkers that kind of run the store have taken the business their own way a little bit,” he says. Since taking over from his father, who retired in 2021, Walker has embraced modernisation while maintaining the values that have defined Walker & Ling for over a century.
Adapting to modern retail
Today, Walker & Ling offers a curated selection of contemporary brands, including Sea Salt, White Stuff, and Rieker shoes. These updates reflect Walker’s understanding of what sets physical retail apart from e-commerce. “Our bra fitting is very strong for us. Trying on a pair of shoes… a lot of our customers prefer to see the fabrics and feel them,” he explains. The store thrives on providing personalised service and a tangible shopping experience that online retailers can’t replicate.
Still, Walker acknowledges that e-commerce cannot be ignored. “I’m not really interested in packaging up Superdry T-shirts to send to other parts of the country and competing with Superdry,” he admits. However, he sees potential in using online platforms to complement the in-store experience. “If I can offer my department store online in the future, then yes, that would be the way that things are going.”
The pandemic brought both challenges and opportunities for Walker & Ling. “Two or three years of dealing with COVID was an extraordinary experience of itself,” Walker recalls. From navigating furlough to adapting to new safety measures, the period tested his resilience and adaptability. “Since then, we’ve been quite timid, holding back. But I’d like to make sure this summer is a good one and push the business a little harder.”
The challenge of sustainability
For Walker, sustainability is both a pressing challenge and a long-term commitment. “I’m not sure any of us have really got any sort of silver bullets for it,” he admits. From sourcing sustainable materials to exploring renewable energy options, Walker & Ling is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact. “We’re looking at putting solar panels on the roof,” Walker shares. “But truly, I’m not sure what the effects are yet. It’s a lifelong project.”
The store’s recent refurbishment, supported by Historic England, reflects its commitment to balancing tradition with progress. “North Somerset Council approached me to say that they wanted to restore some old buildings to futureproof the high street,” Walker recounts. The project involved reinstating Italian glass tiles from the 1950s, alongside installing double glazing and LED lights. “It’s an extraordinary concept in a world where everybody supposedly loves the internet and e-commerce.”
“There’s a lot of talk about second-hand clothing concessions in department stores. Imagine that in your local department store. It’d be brilliant.”
A cornerstone of the community
At its heart, Walker & Ling is more than a retail space—it’s a community hub. “My shop is quite unusual because a lot of my customers have been customers for a while,” Walker notes. Stories of generational connections to the store are common. “People come in and say, ‘My grandmother’s wedding dress came from this shop,’ or ‘I worked here 40 years ago.’” These connections underscore the store’s role in the fabric of Weston-super-Mare.
Walker sees community engagement as essential to the store’s success. “We’re part of the Weston High Street team and the business community. Trying to keep the town going, trying to make events happen, and ensuring people have a positive outlook on the town—that’s important too.” Social media plays a key role in fostering this connection. “Our best posts are about family, the team, and sunny days,” Walker says. “People are doomscrolling through fitness and who knows what on social media. It’s just nice to see something good happening.”
Innovating for the future
Looking ahead, Walker is focused on both immediate goals and long-term opportunities. “One of the biggest projects we’ve got is moving away from paper and pen,” he explains. Implementing digital inventory systems will not only improve efficiency but also pave the way for e-commerce. “Once you’ve got control of your data, the world is your oyster.”
Walker is also exploring new ways to modernize the store’s offerings. “There’s a lot of talk about second-hand clothing concessions in department stores,” he notes. “Imagine that in your local department store. It’d be brilliant.”
Despite the challenges of running a high street store, Walker remains optimistic about the future of retail. “High streets are worth something, worth fighting for,” he asserts. While he acknowledges that e-commerce isn’t going anywhere, he believes there’s room for both. “It’s about being realistic about people’s habits and expectations.”
“I’ve only been there 10 years. There’s been 120 years when it wasn’t even my business.”
Advice for aspiring retailers
For those considering entering the retail world, Walker offers practical advice. “The first thing you have to do is test and test again. Rent a market stall for four hours. Try that and lose £1,000, and don’t go back to it if it doesn’t work. But if it works, then you do two weeks, and you generate a customer base.”
Walker emphasises the importance of community in building a successful business. “Get on board with the local community and the local council,” he advises. His own experience shows the value of partnerships. “The business improvement district in Weston High Street—they just want to help the business community work.”
As Walker reflects on his decade at Walker & Ling, he remains grounded in the store’s dual role as a business and a community institution. “I’m looking after it for now,” he says modestly. “But honestly, I’ve only been there 10 years. There’s been 120 years when it wasn’t even my business.”
This humility, combined with a clear vision for the future, positions Walker & Ling as a model for how traditional retail can adapt and thrive. For Walker, the store is not just a livelihood but a labor of love—a space where history, community, and commerce come together.