Our Story So Far
Eugene Lawrence
The Canvey Supply Company Ltd is a family run business which has been serving the trade and public throughout Essex and the surrounding counties for over 100 years. Canvey Supply was established on the 24th December 1919 by Eugene Lawrence. The original branch from 1919 was located in Canvey Island High Street.
In the years before the second world war, Canvey Island was developed quite rapidly and Canvey Supply was very busy supplying most of the materials for the development.
A Wharf was built, along side one of the current branches at Canvey Supply the Point, for the unloading of the Thames Barges the ‘Kate’ and the ‘Garland’.
Most of the roads were unmade and deliveries were done by horses with carts fitted with runners instead of wheels.
The Threat of war
by 1934, new premises had been built in the High Street . The new building included the iconic, land mark clock tower that could be seen across the Island and beyond. In 1940, with the threat of an enemy invasion, the Canvey name on the tower had to be boarded over, as part of the Government’s efforts to remove and signs that could be of use to guide invading troops.
The firm temporarily merged with a firm of civil engineers, to create thousands of concrete domestic air-raid shelters which were prefabricated and installed. They also created defence installations which were built round various parts of the coast, including anti-tank defences.
Expanding Out
Eugene Lawrence remained at the helm of The Canvey Supply Company Ltd until 1968 when his two sons John and Tom Lawrence took over managing the company.
(Pictured here with there wives Vera and Phillis)
In 1975, Canvey Supply expanded from Canvey Island. when the company opened a third site near the Manor Trading Estate in Benfleet. But, in 1980, the company saw a grate opportunity to buy an old brewery site on the London Road Benfleet and relocated the earlier site. To this day, the company still have this branch along with the Point Road branch, Canvey Island.
And is still very much a family run company
The Next 100 Years
Today the company is ran by Tom and Phillis Lawrence's two daughters Jane and Sarah. We are still very much the same company that was started over a hundred years ago the Island looks very different today and it was the hard work of of people like Eugene Lawrence and other prominent family's that have created and contributed to Canvey Island its been and amazing journey so far
and we are looking forward to the next 100 years
All information was provided by Canvey heritage if you would like to know more please visit https://www.canveyisland.org/wp-search/canvey+supply
OUR BRANCHES
We have two branches in the South East of England, Canvey Island and Benfleet.
We stock a large range of items that cover all areas of building, DIY and plumbing at competitive prices. This includes heavy side items such as blocks, bricks and aggregates, to smaller D.I.Y items like paints and sealants. We can also order special items that we do not stock. Many items are available on a next day delivery service depending on availability. Customers can also apply to open an account with us. There are two types of accounts available. One account available is known as a trade account, this is when the customer gets materials and pays for them on a monthly basis. The other account available is a trade cash account, this is when customers pay as they go.