John C. Dennis (1871-1939)
John Dennis and his brother, Raymond were brought up in Huntshaw, near Barnstaple in Devon.
John then moved to Guildford where, whilst working for an ironmonger Filmer & Masons, he started making bicycles in his spare time. These sold at a profit and in 1895 he set up his own business, the Universal Athletic Stores in Guildford High Street, selling bicycles and other sports goods. [1]
1901 Dennis Brothers became a private limited company.