Business & Technology
Oxford-based family-run haulage firm in its 100th year
John Werrell & Son Ltd traces its origins back to 1926, when John Werrell entered the haulage trade alongside his son, Frank, both working as Foden drivers.
The business quickly established itself, but like many operators of the time, faced early challenges.
By 1929, the company had survived the General Strike and invested in a new six-wheeled Foden vehicle name The Pride of Oxford with the headboard including the slogan “WEKANKARRYIT”, which is still used today.
However, the introduction of the Salter Report brought significant pressures to steam wagon operators, with higher costs, reduced carrying capacity and tighter operating restrictions. Licensing changes also saw annual fees rise sharply, creating further strain.
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Despite these setbacks, the business endured and grew. By 1955 it was firmly established, with the third generation, David Werrell, joining the company from the ground up as a driver.
A year later, in 1956, the firm became a limited company, led by John, Frank and David Werrell.
The company maintained a strong relationship with Foden during this period, reflecting its longstanding loyalty to the manufacturer.
Following John Werrell’s death in 1968 and Frank Werrell’s in 1981, David continued to lead the company.
Over time, the fleet evolved, moving from traditional Foden vehicles to include Leyland and Transcontinental models.
The fourth generation joined in 1976, when John began training as an HGV mechanic. He later became a director in 1987.
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After David Werrell’s sudden death in 1988, his wife Margaret stepped into a more active role, later becoming a director in 1991 until her death in August 2025.
Fleet modernisation continued through the 1980s and beyond, with ERF vehicles eventually replaced by DAF trucks.
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Today, the company operates a fleet of 12 DAF XF106 units alongside a wide range of trailers, supporting its long-standing motto.
The firm has also expanded its services, now handling specialist transport including ADR hazardous goods across multiple classes.
Now in its 100th year, the company remains family-run, led by John Werrell and his daughter Katherine, who became a director in November 2025 after 17 years of working within the company’s administration and accounts.
Despite ongoing regulatory challenges in the haulage industry, the company says it is committed to continuing its legacy for generations to come.
The company said: “We hope that we can continue to serve the road haulage industry for many more years, with new legislation and ruling making it more and more difficult each year.”
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.
Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.
“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.
“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.
“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”
The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.
Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.
However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.
All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.
They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.
With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.
The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.
Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.
The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.
If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.
The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.
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