Pumphrey's History
Pumphreys of Newcastle have a history which can be traced back to the year 1750.
Origins of Pumphreys
The business, which later became known as Pumphreys, was established by a gentleman named
Leigh Smith in the Flesh Market (opposite the Bigg Market) in 1750, and was sold to George Richardson
in 1800. George Richardson has been described as a "Quaker, businessman, tanner, grocer and dealer in Tea."
1835 - George Richardson was succeeded by his son Henry Richardson and the street which had
previously been renamed Union Street now became the Cloth Market as it is today.
Henry Richardson had two nephews - Thomas Pumphrey and George Richardson Pumphrey.
1853 - George Richardson Pumphrey aged 23, purchased a grocery business in Blackett Street, Newcastle
with Thomas Pumphrey aged 21 as his shop assistant.
1854 - Young Thomas Pumphrey aged 23 joined his uncle Henry Richardson in the Cloth Market business
as Henry Richardson & Co. until uncle Henry retired in 1858.
1862 - The premature death (at the age of 32) of Thomas' brother George Richardson Pumphrey, who was
running the Blackett Street business, saw Thomas form a partnership with his friend T. Carrick Watson who
would run the Blackett Street business as Pumphrey & Watson for seven years until 1869 when Watson became
sole proprietor.
1870 - Thomas Pumphrey (at this time aged 39) rebuilt the Cloth Market premises.
1887 - T. Carrick Watson rebuilt his Blackett Street premises.
1911 - On 14th February the Cloth Market business of T. Pumphrey & Son (as it now was) and the
Blackett Street business of T. Carrick Watson & Son (as it now was) amalgamated to form Pumphrey &
Carrick Watson Ltd. On 11th April aged 78 Thomas Pumphrey died at 6 Summerhill Grove Newcastle.
Business continued to thrive and 'Pumphreys Coffee' became a household name throughout the North East.
1945 - After the second world war the grocery trade began to flounder and it became necessary to
close the Blackett Street branch. However, the Cloth Market, with its very busy roasting department and
coffee rooms above, continued to flourish.
1974 - The grocery side of the business had to close and a decision was taken to move the
coffee side of the business into the Old George Yard (behind the shop) and continue to supply the
catering trade from there. This would free the main building for sale, which was in great demand for use as
a public bar. (The start of the Bigg Market party area.)
1983 - Pumphreys Coffee Ltd. was purchased by Mr. C. J. Archer and its place of business was moved out
of the Cloth Market for the first time in over 230 years.
The business moved to Blaydon on Tyne (home of the Blaydon Races) where a new 40,000 sq ft factory has
provided warehousing and roasting facilities with excellent positioning for distribution.
Customers now include: hotel groups, restaurant chains, local authorities, coffee shops, tea room and offices all over the country.
1999 - Old values are treasured by Stuart and Malcolm Archer, the present directors, who are proud to offer both the catering trade and the public a choice of over 80 different coffees or teas all freshly prepared with the traditional 'Pumphreys' care and attention to detail.
2006 - The popularity of Pumphreys fresh coffee and extensive use of espresso and bean to cup machines sees further development at Pumphreys.
A new extended showroom is built at Blaydon giving customers a one stop shop for not only their coffee but also all the various associated products such as crockery, glasses, disposables, sugars, chocolates, etc.
The showroom is also designed to educate customers in the various types of coffee machines available to make coffee.
An innovation is the building of a training centre for the complimentary use of Pumphreys Customers and their staff. Instruction on coffee, coffee making and machine maintenance are offered to all customers free of charge.