Our history

Gilbert Thompson (Leeds) Limited is a a fourth generation family company. Please see the company timeline below:

1892 – Gilbert Thompson born

1905 – Gilbert (age 13) starts working as errand boy in the fruit and vegetable trade

1909 – Gilbert buys his own cart and starts selling fruit and veg on his own round

1914 – Gilbert has to stop whilst he serves in the First World War

1932 – Gilbert Thompson opens his own premises in George Street, Leeds, part of Kirkgate Market at the time. He is joined by his son Clifford.

1939 – Clifford has to leave to fight in the Second World War (front of tank)

1946 – On Clifford’s return from the war the company is formally registered as a limited company – Gilbert Thompson (Leeds) Limited. Clifford takes over the running of the company although Gilbert remains involved until 1957

1961 – Clifford is joined in the business by his son David.

1963 – David leaves to travel the world – rejoining the company in 1965. See link for details of his travels: David’s Travels (extract from Fruit Trades Journal February 12, 1966)

1967 – The company moves to the new Leeds Wholesale Market on Ponefract Lane

1975 – Clifford’s other son, Michael comes down to help for one week. He never left.

1992 – David’s son Daniel joins the company and starts the flower division of the business

1999 – An eventful year! The company merges with Jackson Swaby Limited and buys a share of the Yorkshire Produce Centre. David’s other son, Richard, joins the family business.

2000 – The company starts trading from the new premises in April 2000

2003 – The company acquires the remaining share of the Yorkshire Produce Centre