The Holdsworth Group of Companies



The current manifestation of the businesses established by the members of the Holdsworth family, including

O. & C. Holdsworth

In 1905, brothers Oliver and Charles Holdsworth are recorded as fruiterers and florists at 6 Burnley Road, Halifax.

They established a transport company at Gibbet Hill, Halifax.

In 1924 – and several subsequent dates – applications to ply for hire in the Halifax Borough was declined. A meeting of ratepayers in Bradshaw and Holmfield wrote letters of protest to the Council. This prompted the Council to resolve that

... the Tramways General Manager be instructed to arrange for the running of Motor Buses in the above area at an early date

On 16th November 1925, the company was granted permission to ply for hire with Motor Omnibuses Numbered


CX 6882
CP 3750
CP 3804
CP 3843
CP 3736
CP 3751
CP 3795
CP 4013
on various routes for a period ending 31st May 1926.

On 21st June 1926, they were granted licences to ply for hire with motor omnibuses numbered –


CX 6882
CP 3736
CP 3750
CP 3751
CP 3804
CP 3795
CP 3843
CP 4013
CP 3390
CP 4692
CP 4278
CP 1130
CP 4691
CP 4693
and motor charabancs numbered

HD 745
CP 958
CP 4101
EK 3662
for a period ending 31st August 1926.

In 1958, Directors were Charles Holdsworth [Chairman], M. Holdsworth, D. Holdsworth, J. Gomersall [General manager], and E. B. Jeffery [Secretary]. These were the same directors as those of Walton & Helliwell Limited.

They had a fleet of 5 coaches

See Farman & Oates, Hebble Motor Services and Walton & Helliwell Limited

O. & C. Estates Limited

Company formed by brothers Oliver and Charles Holdsworth.

They own much property in and around Halifax.

In 1958, the company bought the Palace Theatre and adjoining property for £55,000.

In 2006, they built the canopy in Westgate, Halifax.

In May 2011, the company was fined £80,000 for health and safety failures when 3 people died in August 2007 in a fire at a hotel in Newquay owned by the company.

Robert Holdsworth and Tim Holdsworth are the co-owners of The Holdsworth Group of Companies [2012]



© Malcolm Bull 2023
Revised 16:03 / 28th June 2023 / 5674

Page Ref: MMH4056

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