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