History of Todds

Tardy Gate Mill on Coote Lane, originally built in 1908 by the Tardy Gate Manufacturing Company, has a rich and storied history. After being acquired and expanded by Thomas Moss & Sons in 1920, the mill thrived, producing calico and linen until its closure in the late 1970s. The mill wasn't just an industrial powerhouse; it was a community hub. It owned the local cricket pitch, sponsored the cricket team, and even supported a Ladies’ hockey team, made up largely of workers from the weaving sheds and offices.

Fast forward to 1966, when Edna and David Todd opened a Garden Centre in Bamber Bridge, a venture that marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Todd family. With the demands of the business making it difficult to take extended holidays, David ingeniously converted an ex-RAF Morris J2 Van into a custom-built motorhome. This clever design allowed the family to enjoy spontaneous getaways as and when business allowed, transforming a work vehicle into a cozy holiday retreat, complete with sliding furniture and soft furnishings.

As the business improved and the children (Stuart & Julie) got bigger, David felt he needed a bigger van. So, again an ingenious idea occurred. He bought a Flat bed Bedford van with a ‘tip-up’ system which he used for delivering sand, stone and other materials within the Garden Centre business.
He also bought a old Caravan and he set about converting the caravan into a de-mountable.This allowed him to carry on using his van for business but when the family needed a holiday, the ‘Tip-Up’ section of the van could be removed and the de-mountable caravan bolted into place on the back of the Bedford. Within minutes the new ‘motorhome’ was ready to go!

In 1978, David purchased his first Trailer Tent – a Creighton Binns Double Top, handcrafted by Stan Binns from Keighley, West Yorkshire.

Impressed by its innovative design and high-quality workmanship, David was inspired to expand his thriving D.I.Y. & Garden Centre. Notably, he was one of the pioneers in the country to establish a D.I.Y. store dedicated to helping people improve their homes – long before the arrival of Mr. B&Q.

As part of the expansion, the D.I.Y. & Garden Centre began stocking small ridge tents, family tents, trailer tents, and a range of camping accessories.

By 1981, the Todd family business had outgrown its original premises. In a bold move, they sold the Garden Centre in 1982 and purchased Tardy Gate Mill. Todds Mobile Leisure Limited was born, taking over the 60,000 sq. ft. cotton weaving shed and specializing in tents, trailer tents, and accessories. In 1986, Todds broadened its sales to include motorhomes, marking a gradual expansion from their original business focus. By 1995 after a pivotal decision, Todds specialised solely in motorhome sales, reflecting a commitment into this niche market —a decision that has led to four decades of success.

Julie, David and Edna's daughter, played a key role in the early development of the Todds Motorhomes accessory shop. Her expertise helped establish the shop's first computer system, streamlining operations from the outset. Julie's creative flair was also behind the marketing and advertisement for the business, helping to grow the customer base from the get-go.

Fun Fact - One particularly legendary marketing strategy featured the Todds' hamster mascot, proudly declaring "Simple!" long before a certain meerkat made it famous – proof that Todds were ahead of the curve in more ways than one.

Today, under the direction of Stuart and Martine Todd, Todds Mobile Leisure Limited has grown into the largest permanent indoor display of motorhomes in the country. From its humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the motorhome industry, the Todd family’s legacy of innovation and passion continues to thrive in the competitive market.