Ridgways
Tea and Coffee merchants
'The late Mr. Dakin, in the year 1834, entered in partnership with Mr. Thomas Ridgway at Birmingham. In 1836 they opened a shop in King William, street; but in 1837 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Ridgway remaining in King William-street, and Mr. Dakin continuing at Birmingham, near which place he took a farm.'[1]
1836 Established by Thomas Ridgway
1837 Mention of Thomas Ridgway, 'an extensive tea dealer, in King William Street, London Bridge'.[2]
1838 Partnership dissolved. '...the Partnership lately subsisting between us the undersigned, Thomas Ridgway and Thomas Sidney, as Tea-Dealers and Coffee-Merchants, in King William-street, in the city of London, under the style or firm of Ridgway, Sidney, and Co., and at Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, under the style or firm of Ridgway and Co., and at Leeds, in the county of York, under the style or firm of Sidney and Co. is dissolved as from the 3d day of July instant....'[3]
1876 Queen Victoria requested a blend for her personal use.
1886 The House of Ridgway received a Royal Warrant for its development, and Her Majesty's Tea Blend (now called Her Majesty's Blend) is still sold today by Typhoo Tea.
1914 Tea and Coffee Merchants, Ridgway House, King William Street, London, E.C. Hours of Business: Usual. Established in 1836 by Thomas Ridgway. Incorporated as a Limited Company Capital: £530,000. Directors: Sir Alfred Cooper, J.P. (Chairman), John Maitland (Managing Director), F. R. Spofforth, H. J. Chisholm and S. W. Cooper. One of the oldest firms in the trade. Branches: 182, Oxford Street, W.; 73 and 74, Minories, E.C. (Wholesale Department); Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bradford, Southampton, Belfast. Agencies: Throughout the world. Specialities: High grade Teas and Coffees. Connection: World-wide. Royal Warrant: To H.M. the King of Spain. Held special appointment to Her late Majesty Queen Victoria.
Acquired by Premier Brands
In 1998, Premier Brands relaunched the Ridgways brand, stressing the continuing Royal Warrant and a commitment to Fairtrade ethical standards.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser - Wednesday 02 January 1850
- ↑ Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle - Sunday 02 April 1837
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:20 July 1838 Issue:19637 Page:1649