Over 100 years ago Fred Collins decided to start a dairy to
bring low cost milk to the people of Southend and surrounding areas. This was 1908 and their base in
Southend-on-Sea became home. He had a group of loyal workers pulling hand carts
to make door to door deliveries. Sadly, the outbreak of war stopped Fred
trading for some 6 years. Many of Collins workers went to fight in world war
one.
Fred resumed the business once the war had ended but
tragically two of these workers had lost their lives.
Fred nevertheless expanded the business and moved to several
premises and continued trading until
1939 when once again war broke out. This time although the dairy continued, it
was not until 1945 when the business began to become more stable by expanding
with horse drawn carts and Norman Collins took the helm and ran the business.
Over the next three decades the business flourished and the
son of Norman (Graham Collins) took the reigns and moved it into the 21st
century marking the time of electric vehicles.
Since 2013 Gary Hooper has managed the business and has
promised to keep the Collins name associated with a quality service and
continue to serve the loyal customers of Essex.
“I am proud to be associated with a company that has not
only served the community but served the country. I hope we continue to provide
a service which does justice to the milk men and women who have walked the
doorsteps before us”