A HARWICH family-run firm which started out with just £5,000 has marked its 50th anniversary.

Thompson Cooper, provides catering and janitorial materials nationwide.

The firm's journey began in 1973 as a small family business created by Jack and Gwladys Cooper, who used Jack’s redundancy money of £5,000 to build up the business.

Shortly after its rising success, their children, Margaret and John, joined in helping bringing the company to its current success.

The small workforce resided in a small building with a single van in Durite Works Valley Road, for 22 years, until they moved to Main Road Dovercourt in June 1996 where the now larger workforce has been ever since.

Willing family members, Margaret and Bob Cooper, with children Sally and Mandy joined to continue the business’ steady growth.

Sally Cooper, sales manager, said: “We would like to thank all our customers, current employees, ex-employees and suppliers for the support and encouragement they have given us over the last 50 years, we look forward to carrying on working with you all.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Celebration - The Mayor and Mayoress of Harwich with John Cooper, managing director, and Linda Cooper, purchasing directorCelebration - The Mayor and Mayoress of Harwich with John Cooper, managing director, and Linda Cooper, purchasing director (Image: Thomphson Cooper)

 

To celebrate the milestone, the company held a party, full of customers, employees and ex-employees, supported by local entertainment and food catering services.

Sally said the firm was looking to the future and what the next five decades would have on offer.

She added: “We have a strong team, good foundations and determination to help us in any situations.

“[We are] pushing forward always to the next generation and the next 50 years of Thompson Cooper Ltd.”

 

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Beginnings - The Thomphson Cooper workforce outside their purpose-built premises in 1993.Beginnings - The Thomphson Cooper workforce outside their purpose-built premises in 1993. (Image: Thomphson Cooper)

In 1983, the longest serving member of the company, Joanne Cranfield, joined straight out of school and is celebrating her 40th anniversary of working there.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Modest - Thomphson Cooper's humble beginnings in 1973, Durite Works Valley RoadModest - Thomphson Cooper's humble beginnings in 1973, Durite Works Valley Road (Image: Thomphson Cooper)

 

With the age of the internet, the long-running business moved to online ventures such as Ebay and Amazon, which provided them with income through the pandemic. 

Every generation of the Cooper’s has had a vital role in getting the company to where it is today, including three-year-old Albee, who loves helping around the office.