The Downs family are traditionally said to have come from Ireland to Bawtry in the 15th century and set up as graziers. In 1867, William Downs set up as a butcher in Rotherham. Four of his sons followed him into the butchery business. One of these, Frederick (1873-1950), opened his own shop in Attercliffe in 1896 followed by further shops at Tinsley (c.1924) and Rawmarsh (1928). In 1920 he purchased Flanderwell Farm at Bramley. He was succeeded by his son John Downs (1907-73).
The Tinsley shop was compulsorily purchased in 1964 to make way for the Tinsley Viaduct of the M1 motorway. In the same year the Rawmarsh property was sold for redevelopment. The continued depopulation of Attercliffe made the Attercliffe shop increasingly uneconomic and it closed in 1970
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