AFTER 85 years, four generations, and countless thousands of back-breaking coal deliveries, a Herefordshire family-run fuel merchants has announced it will no longer be delivering direct to the doors of customers.
Like his great grandfather, Julian Powell of V.S and B Powell Solid Fuel Merchants has lugged 8 tonnes of coal up the front paths of county homes eight hours-a-day every winter for the last 7 years.
The declining use of solid fuels led to the sale of the delivery part of the business to a Forest of Dean merchant. They will still provide fuel from their site near Holme Lacy bridge between Mordiford and Fownhope and concentrate more on developing their caravan park.
Gerald Powell said: "Some of our customers are mortified. Many of their families have been buying their coal from us for four generations. When my son arrives he is not just the coal man to them, he is Julian Powell. It's been that way for 85 years.
"We are another established local business that will be gone for ever and there will be many more like us in the future."
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