Millsons Vending - Established since 1922

Who are Millsons Vending?

Millsons Vending had its roots in a business started back in 1918 when, just after World War I Edward Millson began his dairy and grocery shop. At that time trading as Bloodshots Farm Dairy.

In 1922 he took freehold ownership of the property for the princely sum of £850.00.

Milk was supplied from Bloodshots Farm which was situated opposite the premises and owned by his father-in-law. The farm land now comprises of the grounds of Tonbridge Girls Grammar School and a small housing estate.

DAIRY SHOP 1918

Edward would bottle milk on the premises, and deliver it to a number of houses in local Tonbridge roads.

Difficult years were to follow with a great deal of competition from approximately thirty other small dairymen and the great depression of the 1930s. Edward continued his local milk business, even having the shop remodelled to try and improve sales. All the family assisted in running the business, and it was the youngest son Douglas job whilst still in his early teens to look after the maintenance of a small cigarette machine installed outside the front of the shop. This was Millsons first vending machine and probably the original seed initiating the growth of today’s modern vending business.

Household refrigerators were almost unheard of at this time, and fresh non heat-treated milk did not keep very long. So it was necessary to deliver milk up to three times daily for 365 days of the year. This was done by means of tricycle hand carts that would have a churn containing milk on board. A bucket which would hold about 2 Gallons was filled from a tap on the churn. Also hanging inside the churn was a 1 pint and 1/2 pint ladle. Customers would leave their jugs on their window sills or door steps, and the milkman would fill these from the bucket. If there was no jug available, then small metal cans that could hold between 1/2 a pint and 2 pints were hanging on the cart for that purpose.

In the 1930’s, a heat-treatment plant was purchased to improve the storage time of milk. Bottles were now used instead of the churn and ladle system. Also, ice cream made from real cream was manufactured and sold from tricycle barrows. Particularly was this popular at events such as the Leigh Village cricket matches.

In 1939 just before the start of World War II, Douglas went on a school trip to Holland. At the age of 15 he had his first real taste of vending, seeing machines dispensing snacks and food. This occasion stayed in his mind.

As the 1990’s began it became apparent that the vending side of the business was the future. Up until that time most of the vending customers were locally based - either Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells. Now with both sons established in the family business, Douglas was able to look further afield using the DIY type of vending machines. As a result, what was about 40 machines in 1983 has now grown to over 400 in 2001.

A major refurbishment took place in 1993 creating room for future growth with increased warehouse space,

The new Millennium saw the sad demise of the Dairy. After over 80 years of service to the local community Millsons Dairy was sold onto a nation-wide company.

Now all attention on Millsons Vending. Has it been a good decision?

The future of Millsons Vending remains to be seen. But you can be a part of that future by adding yourself to our ever increasing list of happy satisfied customers.

It was almost a natural progression into vending for Millsons Dairy, as milk could be vended through a machine made by Vendo. For some time there was a machine outside Millsons Dairy dispensing Milk, Strawberry Milk, and Orange. This machine however suffered at the hands of an out of control motor car and was damaged beyond repair.

Undeterred Douglas continued to increase his interest in the vending industry, limited as it was then, moving into hot drinks machine supplying.
In 1973 Douglas eldest son Ian joined the family business working on a Saturday. He was sent to fill and clean hot drinks machines in the Tonbridge area.

1979 saw the end of the grocery store. It was decided that just goods sold on milk rounds, potatoes, eggs would continue.
In 1985 an early Sankey machine that dispensed Coffee, Tea, and Hot Chocolate, was observed by a local business man on display in the window of the now renamed Millsons Dairy and Vending Service. He immediately contacted Millsons and requested that it be delivered to his factory for his staff to use. That small business continues to this day - now part of Unipart Industries - with Millsons supplying its beverage requirements for about 300 staff.

In 1983 He was joined by Hugh Millson one of his other sons, who like his father showed an interest in repairing vending machines. Subsequently he was sent on training courses to enable him to successfully service the machines that were currently on sites. After shadowing the existing engineer he took on the responsibility in 1986. Along with this he also assisted in the Dairy side of the business - covering holidays and sickness..
Over the years in spite of the flooding, storms, and depressions, Millsons Dairy and Vending have provided the local community with a constant and reliable service that is now sadly lacking in business today.