Ridge Fuels Ltd (inc. J.A. Smallshaw) was formed in April 2023, bringing together two long-established names in the fuel industry — the wholesaler J.A. Smallshaw and the retailer Ridge Fuels Ltd.
J.A. Smallshaw was previously owned by John and Averil Watkiss, who have since retired, while Ridge Fuels Ltd was owned by their son, Lewis Watkiss.
Our History
The story begins in 1880, when Mr. James Atherton Smallshaw, a mining engineer from Lancashire, purchased Arscot Colliery just outside Shrewsbury, Shropshire. To sell the coal mined there, he established the Shrewsbury Coal Depot at Castle Foregate (behind the Fire Station and Kwik Fit).
Mr. Smallshaw and his family settled in Shrewsbury. He had two sons — Hilton Manning and Denis. Denis went on to become a doctor, while Hilton (born in 1905) joined his father in the business and later took it over.
John Watkiss worked alongside Hilton Smallshaw until Hilton’s passing in 1998, after which John purchased and ran the business himself until 2023.
The Formation of Ridge Fuels
Ridge Fuels was founded in 1999 by Lewis Watkiss, who purchased a coal delivery business in Telford from Richard Ridge — a business that, at the time, consisted of a customer list, a delivery lorry, and a driver named Cliff.
For over 30 years, Ridge Fuels and J.A. Smallshaw operated side by side at the same coal yard in Shrewsbury, with Lewis managing both businesses. During that time, Ridge Fuels expanded steadily, taking on customers from local coal merchants as they retired.
Sadly, Lewis passed away in August 2022.
A New Chapter
As of June 2025, Ridge Fuels is under new management. Building on the strong reputation of both businesses, we continue to uphold the same values of quality, reliability, and personal service — supported by our loyal and experienced team.
What We Do
We are an independent wholesale and retail merchant, proudly supplying a wide range of high-quality fuels and related products at competitive prices.
Our customers include:
- Fellow coal merchants
- Householders
- Shops and garages
- Steam trains
- Canal boats
- Traction engine rallies
- Blacksmiths
- Pubs, restaurants, and hotels
- Heritage museums and colleges