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Emanuel Spence Ltd and it's relationship with the History and People of Middlesbrough

Emanuel Spence started his first shop in 1906 - this is recorded in the 1906 Park Wesleyan Church bazaar magazine.

Emanuel Spence was a prominent Methodist being a local preacher and served on several circuit offices and was mentioned as a leading member of the Connexional Council in 1932.

He ensured that his Methodist roots followed him into business and his motto for the day was:

' Careful attention given to all orders ' This still is our aim today.

The Second generation of the Company arrived in 1917 with the birth of David Edward Spence.

David was educated at Ashville College at Harrogate and was destined to go into the family business and the Company moved to 298/200 Linthorpe Road.

However as soon as he had come out of being an apprentice war was declared in 1939.

David Spence joined the Green Howards Regiment being the local regiment in the war.

David fought in France and was rescued at Dunkirk, then the Green Howards joined up with the Eight Army under Montgomery in the Middle East around Cairo.

David Spence was mentioned in Despatches twice and completed the war at the rank of Major with a commendation from the King George the Sixth.

David Spence can be seen taking the Salute in front of the Town Hall at the end of the war.

No the Dog was not a member of staff !

Further growth after the war

The War years

The Company development

Emanuel Spence the Companies founder died in 1948 - the Company received over 300 letters of condolence from all over the Country. This clearly left many changes to be made and David Spence re-joined the Company after discharge from the Green Howards and his Sister Margaret Spence and Mother Florence took over the reigns.

These were fast moving times the original site of Scupham & Son was sold and moved to a new site in 1952 at 23/25 Dundas Street, Middlesbrough.

The fifties were hard times after the War and a lot of work had to be undertaken to improve an alter properties.

One of the significant purchases after the Second World War was the purchase of the oldest glazing firm in Middlesbrough R Scupham & Sons who had been established in 1861. This was bought in 1946.

Another major purchase in 1946 was the purchase of 291 Linthorpe Road from the vast estate of Thomas Gibson Poole - thirty properties were put up for sale in and around Linthorpe Road by Arthur Thompson the Auctioneers.

As can be seen from the picture to the left window displays in Plumbing companies had little to offer.

The premises shown are those of 298/300 Linthorpe Road, Emanuel Spence Ltd occupied the premises from the early 1930's in 298, Harrisons the radio shop rented 300 Linthorpe Road and a Church hall was upstairs.

It was not until the early 1960's after the sale of the Dundas Street site to make way for the new shopping development that the whole building was taken back over by the Business..

In 1958 John David Spence was born the current Managing Director.