A popular Amersham business is celebrating 60 years this year after being founded as a result of economic upheaval in the 1950s.

Fox’s Outdoor on London Road, Amersham, was established following the Suez Crisis, an invasion of Egypt by Israel, the UK and France in 1956, which resulted in petrol rationing across the country.

The Fox family, who at the time was running the Chiltern School of Motoring, was forced to find an alternative source of revenue as a result of the petrol shortage and decided to turn the driving school into a clothing store.

Arthur and Ivy Fox cleared out the driving school office and displayed outdoor goods and clothing on a dining table with coats initially hung from gas pipes, while permanent fixtures were constructed.

The company now employs around 20 full-time staff who, according to son John, are “knowledgeable and enthusiastic” and eager to help.

He said: “They share a spirit of adventure and serve to enhance the success of this local enterprise.”

John, who joined the business in 1958, opened a footwear shop next to the clothing and camping shop in 1967 which he says grew “almost too rapidly for comfort”, and took over the business following Arthur’s death in 1980.

He closed the driving school in order to focus fully on the two shops with wife Audrey.

His son Kevin left a career in graphic design to join the business in 1985, which by this time, had developed from general clothing to outdoor clothing and equipment.

Kevin, who is now managing director of the company, said: “My father loved walking and camping, and we were always taking trips to the Lake District and North Wales.

“So the development into outdoor and camping was a natural one.”

Speaking about the milestone anniversary year, Kevin said: “As we celebrate our diamond anniversary as a family business, we are grateful to our loyal customers and suppliers for supporting us to become one of the largest independent outdoor retailer in the country.

“Fox’s has always aimed to be at the forefront of developments in outdoor clothing and footwear over the years, and it’s amazing how technological changes have transformed products over these 60 years.

“As a family we love outdoor pursuits, so it has been a huge pleasure to provide the kit to enable generations of local people to enjoy outdoor adventures for themselves, whether in our beautiful Chiltern hills or for adventures around the world.”