Ringtons Tea

The former Ringtons tea-packing factory, 78 Ladypit Lane, Beeston, Leeds

Samuel Smith was born in Leeds in 1872 and grew up in a small cottage on Ladypit Lane. With an initial investment of £250, Sam Smith started Ringtons with his business partner William Titterington in the Heaton area of Newcastle upon Tyne. An initial stock of tea was purchased and the business began, delivering direct to customers' homes.

The business soon flourished and Sam moved to larger premises, buying out William's share of the business. Ringtons became a family company when Sam's son Douglas Smith joined, starting as a van boy.

In 1914, World War I brought rationing and Ringtons workers called up to the front. These developments almost put a stop to trade but the range of goods was diversified to include dried eggs, baking powder, canned meats, fish and pickles. After the war, there was a rebirth of the business, with Sam Smith wherever possible employing ex-servicemen, and he opened up 48 depots as his business grew.

With a post-war boom in business, Sam opened a purpose-built factory and six-storey head office in Algernon Road, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1926. The business continued to grow and in 1935 Ringtons expanded the tea-packing department and built a packing factory on the site of the house where he had been born in Leeds.

Annual trips to Scarborough were arranged for the staff and their families.

World War II brought a succession of severe setbacks for the business and over 400 Ringtons employees served in the forces, including Sam's grandsons. Sam donated his own car to the ambulance corps and the company was compelled to take 200 vans off the road in 1943. Samuel Smith died on 12 August 1949, aged 77. His will left sons Douglas and Malcolm with shares in the business and, at the age of 50, Douglas took over Ringtons, to be joined by sons Norman, Douglas Junior and Jonnie.

In 1972, Douglas’s son Johnnie took over at Ringtons and his eldest son Nigel joined the business.

In 1979, the Algernon Road factory was visited by Margaret Thatcher. The Conservative leader told of her preference for tea bags, noting they are "much more convenient".

In the 1980s, Douglas' other sons Simon and Colin joined the business.

Recent changes to the business include the introduction of vacuum-packing techniques and the construction of a custom-built factory in North Tyneside.

Ringtons door to door service delivers to over 280,000 customers throughout the UK.

The wholesale division of Ringtons has been established for over 30 years. Ringtons Beverages supply tea, coffee, supplies and machinery to the hospitality trade.