A 65 Year Spark!
After leaving the Airforce in the 50s, Tommy Ridley started an electrician apprenticeship. That career decision led to the start of Ridley Brothers, a local electrician firm based in Gosforth. Tommy enlisted his brother Fred, and together the pair built up a reputation for high quality workmanship and family loyalty that has stayed with the company ever since.
From one generation to the next
This year, Ridley Brothers celebrates 65 years in business. A lot has happened since 1959, but the company is still run by brothers, albeit the next generation of the Ridley family. Andrew and David are the sons of Fred Ridley, and they’ve worked hard to maintain that local trust. Andrew takes care of the commercial side of things, while David is in charge of domestic. This arrangement seems to work well, giving the brothers a chance to manage their own areas while working alongside each other.
With team spirit like this, it’s no wonder that staff retention is high. But no other employee can claim to have worked with the Ridley Brothers as long as Eddy Calvert. He was the firm’s first ever apprentice and stayed for 50 years, working his entire career as an electrician. Andrew thinks it’s this kind of loyalty and commitment that has ensured the firm has done so well.
“My dad and uncle had a good reputation, and I hope we have too. We’re a family run company, a small company, and we try to treat everyone well; but it’s mainly reputation and loyalty – and workmanship.”
An enduring connection to the community
It’s these simple cornerstones of customer service that have ensured that Ridley Brothers have lasted 65 years. But Andrew admits there have been a few challenges along the way:
“There have been a few credit crunches and problems with the economy that we’ve had to get through – and the pandemic. We had a couple of lads on furlough for a bit while the rest worked through.”
Another reason why the business has done so well could be their commitment to staying true to their roots. Ridley Brothers have always been in Gosforth, starting on Causey Street back in 1959 and then moving down the High Street for a short period of time. Now the business is on Elmfield Road, in a building that backs onto the old flat where the business was founded by Andrew’s dad and uncle.
The future looks bright
They may be 65 years in business, but Ridley Brothers is still thriving. They’ll be lighting up Gosforth High Street at Christmas this year, organising festive lights for all to enjoy, and Andrew is hopeful about the future.
“I would like to think we’ll expand. Every year we seem to have got bigger and bigger, just by little bits, but we’re always going forwards, not backwards.”
As well as the Christmas lights, Ridley Brothers are in high commercial, domestic and industrial demand. They have become the go-to electricians throughout Gosforth and the North East, offering apprenticeship schemes to ensure their staff are as committed as they are to offering a good quality service with a smile.
Need an electrician? Find out more: https://ridleybrothers.co.uk/