Keep updated For the freshest fruit and vegetables, pick McCarthys Products Production Caterers Resellers Delivery About Contact OUR HISTORY About Our History Directors Premises Royal Warrants Cash & Carry Customer Promise Sustainability Supplier Spotlight News Offers From our humble beginnings in Victorian London to today’s state-of-the-art facilities, the history of McCarthys is incredibly rich, spanning six generations and over 135 years in the business. Founded by Thomas McCarthy, our company began as a fruit and vegetable stall on London’s Drury Lane in 1877. The family took their summer holidays in Great Yarmouth and in 1903 Thomas’ son Daniel opened a stall in its bustling market place before joining the Navy during the First World War, leaving his son Dan to run the stall with his mother. The pair continued to grow the business, eventually moving into wholesaling, and formed McCarthy’s as a limited company on 5th May 1939. The business prospered, opening several depots across Norfolk until Dan’s son John eventually took over management of the business in the early 60s. John oversaw the building of a new warehouse in Norwich and moved the core of the business there before retiring in 1995, passing control to the current directors; his sons Martin, Simon, David and Peter. In 2009, Thomas McCarthy’s great-great-great grandson Daniel joined the firm, followed by Joe, Sam, Annabel and Josh; marking six generations of our family business. 1877 Thomas McCarthy runs a fruit stall from a barrow in Drury Lane, London after leaving County Cork, Ireland. Image credit: www.spitalfieldslife.com 1903 Daniel Thomas (Thomas’s son) moves to Great Yarmouth and opens up a fruit stall in the market place. Image: Great Yarmouth market place in late 1800s. Stall in foreground would later become McCarthys. 1914 Daniel joins the Royal Navy in WW1 eventually being wounded in the Dardanelles campaign whilst serving aboard HMS Triumph. His son Daniel junior leaves school in 1916 aged 12 to help his mother run the market stall. Image credit: wikipedia 1933 Daniel and his mother move into wholesaling. Image: The early fleet in Great Yarmouth market place. 1939 On 5th May, just 4 months before the outbreak of WW2 D & F (Daniel & Frances) McCarthy becomes a limited company 1942 The Warehouse is bombed and many of the lorries are requisitioned. 1946 First arrival of bananas since 1939. Priority is given to young school children many of whom have never before seen a banana. 1955 Daniel’s son John finishes National Service and takes over the management of the company 1965 The company moved from small rented premises in Heigham Street into a new warehouse at Raynham Street, The Norwich Fruit Exchange. 1977 Company celebrates its centenary. 1995 John (pictured with his wife Yvonne) retires and hands over the running of the company to his sons (L–R) Simon, Peter, Martin and David. Image: Evening News 24 2010 The company moves into its’ current facility on Broadland Business Park after 7 years of planning and searching for a suitable site. Premises One of the most modern and efficient distribution centres in Europe. Royal Warrants Supplying the Royal Household since the early 70s. Customer Promise Our commitment to provide the very best for every customer. News The latest news and industry knowledge from our experts. Current as of: 05:30 15/07/2014 Products Production Caterers Resellers Delivery About Contact D & F McCarthy Ltd, Memorial Way Norwich, Norfolk NR7 0WH © D&F McCarthys 2014 Terms & conditions Privacy Site map FRUIT VEGETABLES SALAD HERBS OTHER DAIRY BAKERY MEAT & FISH DRINKS PREPARED PACKED