Sale of demolition firm brings end to family era

A HISTORIC Northumberland firm known for its expertise in demolition has been sold.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

Thompsons of Prudhoe has been taken over by Yorkshire-based Ashcourt Group, Companies House documents show.

Thompsons of Prudhoe dates back to 1948 and has remained in the family of its founders William and Margaret Thompson until now.

The firm began in the haulage business for mostly agricultural customers but has since expanded into demolition services, asbestos removal, quarrying, earthworks and contaminated land remediation.

Since 1987 it has been based at premises on the Low Prudhoe Industrial Estate, with the founders' sons Billy and John driving expansion into new areas during the second half of the 20th century.