Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Chaplins Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Chaplin, William J
  • London & Southampton Railway Co
  • London & South Western Railway Co
  • Chaplin & Horne
  • Horne, Benjamin
  • Hay's Wharf Cartage Co
  • British Road Services

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • London, Greater London, Greater London, Greater London, England

Sectors:

  • Transport services Furniture removal & storage services
  • Transport services Road haulage, carrier & carting services
  • Transport services Road passenger transport services inc bus, street tram, coach & horse drawn

Notes:

Traced origins to 1760s. Formed in 1838 through merger of the very large coaching / hotels / inns businesses of William James Chaplin, 1787-1859, and Benjamin Worthy Horne, 1804-70, both of London. This merger was an early response to railway competition leading to the disposal of original businesses and investment in railway linked activities. Chaplin was a significant investor in the London & Southampton Railway Co, later London & South Western Railway Co, of which he was chairman, and Chaplin & Horne established cartage services linked to railways as well as London omnibus services. From 1883 diversified into furniture removal and storage. Incorporated 1926 as Chaplins Ltd. 1936 acquired from Chaplin family by Hay's Wharf Cartage Co which was owned by four leading railway companies. After nationalisation subsumed into British Road Services

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