Thomas Padmore & Sons was established in 1830 the year that King George 1V died.

In that year Thomas Padmore moved from London to the growing Midlands city of Birmingham. The company had a base in Little Charles Street and thus Thomas founded a business of wood and ivory turning and cabinet making which grew rapidly during the reign of King William 1V (1830 -37). As the game of billiards increased in popularity he decided to turn his hand to the manufacture of the tables.

Early in Queen Victoria’s reign Thomas was joined by two of his sons , and together they built up a prosperous concern. Unfortunately soon after Thomas died but the business continued to expand and in 1871 Edwin and John Padmore chose to build larger premises at 118 Edmund Street Birmingham. For the next 69 years this was one of the best known addresses in the world of billiards.

In time a third generation of the family joined the business and cousins Frank and Douglas Padmore gradually took control of the business. During this period the production of Tables and associated products was rapidly increased to meet demand This was know doubt helped by the 1855 agreement stipulating rules and standards to which equipment should conform.

The first World War curbed the normal activity of billiard table making. Edgar Padmore the senior partner’s son , and a number of craftsmen , joined the forces , and the factory was turned over almost entirely to war work.

After five long years the war ended and once again the billiards equipment manufacturing took over from the cabinet making and Ivory turning. In those days most of the billiard balls were still hand turned from Ivory , and a huge range of products were made from the waste tusks.

The production of table’s continued and by this time the table’s were being exported to all parts of the world. The national championships of Norway were staged on Padmore table’s as was the World championship of 1933 played betwen Walter Lindrum , Joe Davis , Tom Newman , and Clark McConachy.

Sadly the Second World War arrived all too quickly and a fourth generation of Padmores had taken control of the business. Unfortunately in the blitz of Luftwaffe bombs the Edmund Street Offices , factory , and warehouse and showrooms were all destroyed. Additionally all historic company records were also destroyed. Edgar Padmore had to find temporary accomodation in the centre of Birmingham and also obtained outbuildings in a country house for use as a factory.  The company had managed to obtain considerable work on behalf of the military and civil services. They also sensibly developed a rental system enabling them to get good returns on hired tables. Once the war ended these tables formed the basis of a good post war stock.

Once the war had ended further new premises were acquired at 3 Coleshill street and a large upto date factory was also built. The manufacture of accessories and table restoration formed the bulk of the work whilst timber stocks that had been built up began to season in order that they could be used for the manufacture of tables.

In 1951 the company became a Ltd company with a subsidiary to deal with the hire of billiard tables and to control the three billiard halls , two of which had been in existence for 40 years. The Board of Directors contained Neville Padmore who had built up his experience in various different internal departments. During the late 1950’s the Coleshill Street premises were compulsorily purchased and the billiard halls disposed of due to changing economic and social circumstances. The companies consolidated at new premises 8 -12 Cheshire Street only to learn some 12  months later that these Freehold premises were also to be taken by compulsory purchase. This purchase was to make way for the building of The Aston Express Way to the M6.

In 1966 when Terence Padmore retired  the companies joined with E.A. Clare & Son of Liverpool and Thurston & Co of London. The managing director of the new group was Neville Padmore. The forced move from the Cheshire Street premises came in 1969 which allowed them to relocate to 180 Lozells Road. These premises included showrooms , offices and warehousing for the handling of a variety of products. The expanded groups tables were used in many championships and regularly on TV over many years. In 1987 the brand name of Padmore was no more once the combined group of companies decided to move forward with the single brand of Thurston.

 From 1878 until 1956 Pool championships were held almost annually. At times including during The Civil War billiard results received wider coverage than war news.

Players were so renowned that cigarette cards were issued featuring them. The first half of this century was the era of the Billiards personality. In 1906 Willie Hoppe aged 18 established the world supremacy of American players by beating Maurice Vignaus of France at “Balkline”.

“Balkline” is a version of Carom billiards with lines drawn on the table to form rectangles. When both object balls lie in the same rectangle , the number of shots that can be made is restricted. This makes the game much harder because the player must cause one of the balls to leave the rectangle and hopefully return.When “Balkline” lost its popularity in the 1930’s Hoppe began a career in “Three-cushion billiards” which he dominated until 1952.

Hoppe was a true American legend - a boy of humble roots whose talent was discovered early , a World Champion as a teenager and a gentleman who held professional titles for almost 50 years. One newspaper reported that under his manipulation , the balls moved “as if under a magic spell”.To many fans Billiards menat Hoppe. More on Hoppe soon!

 We have for some considerable time offered these products to customers on an informal basis. I am delighted to now be able to offer them formally.

The range of tables is of a very high quality and they have been very successful in the commercial market in the UK. The K-Steel is a superb product and the high quality of its manufacture is reflected in its price.

If you have any questions about the range of English and American Pool tables - please ring us.