Re-named in April 2023, Ridge Fuels Ltd (inc J A Smallshaw) is now an amalgamation of the wholesalers J A Smallshaw and retailer Ridge Fuels Ltd. J A Smallshaw was previously owned by John and Averil Watkiss, now retired. Ridge Fuels Ltd was owned by John and Averil’s son Lewis Watkiss.
In 1880 Mr James Atherton Smallshaw, a mining engineer from Lancashire, bought Arscot Colliery, just outside Shrewsbury, Shropshire to mine coal. Needing somewhere to sell his coal, Shrewsbury Coal Depot in Castle Foregate (behind the Fire Station and Kwik Fit) was set up. His family then settled here in Shrewsbury. He had 2 sons – Hilton Manning and Denis. Denis went on to become a doctor and Hilton (born in 1905) worked with his father, in time taking over the business. John Watkiss worked with Hilton Smallshaw until Hilton died in 1998, John then bought the business owning it himself until 2023.
Ridge Fuels was set up in 1999 by Lewis Watkiss. He bought a coal delivery business in Telford belonging to Richard Ridge. ( The ‘business’ was a list of customer names, a delivery lorry and driver called Cliff). The two businesses (Ridge and Smallshaw) then ran alongside each other in the same coal yard here in Shrewsbury for over 30 years, both businesses latterly run by Lewis. Lewis, along with other coal merchants bought their coal off the wholesale side ( J A Smallshaw ) to sell to members of the general public. Over the years many local coal merchants have retired and Ridge Fuels has expanded to take on those customers.
Sadly, Lewis passed away August 2022 and the business is now owned and run by Stephanie Watkiss, Lewis’ wife. Stephanie plans to carry on the good name of both businesses, together with the existing loyal team – Mandy, Sue, Chris, Roger, Chase, Steve, and Tomo.
We are an Independent Wholesale and Retail Merchant, supplying a wide range of good quality products, all at competitive prices. Our customers include –
- Fellow Coal Merchants,
- Householders,
- Shops,
- Garages,
- Steam Trains,
- Canal Boats,
- Traction Engine Rallies,
- Blacksmiths
- Hospitality – pubs, restaurants and hotels
- Heritage museums
- Heritage Colleges
We deliver Nationally and locally here in Shropshire
We have a CASH AND CARRY shop here in the yard enabling you to call in and collect your fuel if that’s more convenient for you. We are always looking to expand our product lines to increase customer satisfaction and choice.
We have our own LOG PROCESSOR and supply loose logs around the county. We sell sealed bags of kiln dried logs.
We also have our own BAGGING MACHINE, selling pre pack fuel to our own customers, other merchants and retailers such as garages, shops etc. We can bag different products for other business too.
You can count on us to share our wide range of knowledge and experience with you and strive to deliver excellent customer service.