Copsey's

Fleet of lorries outside the Market Place premises, 1930s

Copsey's (Geo. Copsey & Co. Ltd.) is Romford's oldest removals and storage firm (and previously also house furnishers, cabinet makers and upholsterers), having been established in 1847.

Now based in Crow Lane (no. 178), Copsey's had for many years premises in on the south side of Market Place (nos. 56-58) next to Stone's department store. They later moved to the very eastern end of the market (no. 128), beyond Laurie Square.

The family firm suffered a major setback on the night of V-J Day, 15 August 1945, when their shop and four warehouses were gutted by what was said at the time to have been Romford's biggest blaze. About 50 homes of salvaged furniture from air raids were lost, as well as all but one of Copsey's fleet of four furniture removal vans.

Gallery

Probably Romford's first furniture lorry

Demise of the first furniture lorry

Fleet of lorries outside the Market Place premises, 1930s

Premises decorated for the coronation of George VI, May 1937

References

• Advertisment in the Borough of Romford Souvenir, 1937
• Adverisment in the Romford Football Club Ltd Official Year Book, 1968-69
• Recorder, 24 August 1945