On The Move
Since 1885

Moving home is without doubt one of live's most traumatic occasions after divorce and coping with bereavement.

Eastbourne firm Morleys has been reducing the trauma of moving for many people for well over a century. Henry Morley put his first horse drawn removal wagon on the road in 1885. This was another part of his business of House Furnisher and Cabinet Maker in Langney Road, Eastbourne - a business established for many successful years next door to Charlwood the Jeweller - a business that still exists in the same location to this very day.

Henry was also an expert on the valuation of antique furniture and later in his working years made a study of pictures and porcelain and was an authority at Southerby's.

Henry Morley began to modernise his firm, buying a Model T Ford to replace the trusty horse. His son Bernard joined the firm, becoming a partner, just before the second world war and after the war Bernard and his brother Alan took over the firm, and changed name to 'Morley Brothers', a name that many people today still remember and refer to when speaking of Morleys.

Bernard and Alan built up the business during the fifties and sixties, increasing their fleet of vehicles, opening offices in Ocklynge Road, warehousing facilities in Chamberlain Road and also established Parsonage Barn Antiques. Henry Morley celebrated his 100th year in 1966.

In 1972 Alan's son John and daughter-in-law Shirley took over control of Morleys, and another name change to 'Morleys Moving and Storage'. Alan and Bernard continued with the antiques business until Alan's death in 1986, when the antiques business closed and the premises from were they operated was sold.

The business continued to flourish, so much so that the centenuary year of 1985 was forgotten and it was not until 1987 that celebrations took place. "We've got a small sound family business", John Morley said at this time, "operating large modern removal vans staffed by fully trained men, who take pride in doing their job properly".

1st October 2003 saw another turning point in the life of the Morley organisation. After 31 years of running Morleys and many more years of involvement with the firm John and Shirley decided to retire. After 118 years of being run by a Morley the firm was to leave family hands as a deal was made to sell Morleys Moving and Storage to Gosdens Removals and Storage.

"I have high regard for the name of Morley and have every intention of continuing with the principles of Morleys and their accomplishments achieved over the many years they have been trading", Michael Gosden, senior partner of Gosdens, said at the time of his company's takeover of Morleys, "It should also be pointed out that although John Morley is retiring from the day-to-day running of Morleys he will still be keeping a close eye on the firm, and he and I shall be making sure that the high standard of service expected by existing and future clients shall be maintained".