Torquay branch part of RGB’s 175-year story in the South West building trade

RGB Building Supplies is celebrating its 175th anniversary, marking nearly two centuries of service to communities across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset – including right here in Torbay.

Founded in 1850 as a timber importing business in Barnstaple, RGB has grown from a single yard into one of the South West’s best-known builders’ merchants. Among its network of branches today is a site in Torquay, supplying local tradespeople and homeowners with everything from building materials and plumbing to landscaping and home décor.

The company’s history is closely tied to the region. Its Bideford showroom was repurposed during the Second World War as an ammunition store to support the Allied effort, while in earlier years its timber ships also provided safe passage for people emigrating to Canada.

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From those beginnings, RGB now operates branches stretching from Wiveliscombe in Somerset down to Penzance in Cornwall, with Torbay among the communities it serves.

Reflecting on the milestone, managing director Danny Spokes said: “To reach this milestone is a tremendous honour and a testament to the hard work and loyalty of generations of our employees and customers.

"Our history is a source of great pride, from our early days importing timber to our role in helping people start new lives across the ocean, and even our part in the war effort.

"We have always strived to be more than just a business - we are a part of the community. We are incredibly grateful for all the local support that has allowed us to grow and serve the South West for so long, and we look forward to the next chapter of our story.”

As RGB marks its 175th anniversary, the company is celebrating not only its heritage but also its continuing role as a cornerstone of the South West’s economy, with its Torquay branch playing a key part in serving the needs of local trades and households.