Renoir Report post Posted June 23, 2014 While researching suppliers, it's a bit tricky sometimes to tell whether a supplier or warehouse is suitable for you. Some require a minimum order size, may be online only, and may not have a way of viewing what you're buying (e.g. ebay). With this in mind, I wanted to write a short review of my experience at suppliers so that others might benefit. A.W. Midgley and Son is a UK supplier (website http://www.awmidgley.co.uk ) based in Cheddar, in the south west. It's reasonably accessable from Bath, Bristol, and is just over an hour's drive from where I live. On the website they say they are happy for customers to call at the warehouse, so I gave them a visit. Google/satnav directed me to the buisness park (BS27 3EB) easily, and they are located towards the end of the park - just keep driving and looking, a couple of turns later you should see it on the right - there is a small carpark for visitors. On opening the door, you walk straight into the warehouse - a veritable playground of leather hides - in a hundred different colours and patterns. https://plus.google.com/photos/104400411479647274773/albums/6028107499498037585 We were met by a very nice chap, I think his name may be Will (from http://mirjamidesign.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/luxurious-leather.html). He was extremely helpful and knowledgable, and although I had a vague idea of what I wanted (some thin veg-tan natural, maybe coloured) he helped by showing me several natural veg-tan skins and explaining a lot. He also grabbed a huge stack of mixed single veg-tan shoulders, and went through them, one by one - explaining a bit about the different types. With his help, I chose 3 coloured veg-tan shoulders and a natural veg-tan calf hide. Pricing was very good too, and they seem very happy to give even the casual hobbyist a great customer service. They seem to have a pretty wide variety of hides, different weights/thickness, and plenty of colours. They also have pretty large stocks of popular (e.g. blacks and browns) - if you wanted a larger order. I would definitely recommend a visit for anyone in the south west - you're bound to find something nice, and I am definitely coming back for more in the future. Great place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterl Report post Posted February 17, 2015 Renoir - thanks for this review, its extremely useful. I'm Bristol/Bath based and just starting out making things from leather. I think I'll give them a visit. Is there anyone else in the South West worth considering? I did speak to Thomas Ware Tanners in Bristol, who were also extremely friendly and helpful but suggested I'd probably get more choice and availability from someone like AW Midgley, albeit at a slightly higher price, as they (Thomas Ware) are mainly making to order in a limited choice of colours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pip Report post Posted March 8, 2015 Anything in north west? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Half Goat Report post Posted March 15, 2015 Anything in north west? I'm in Scotland just on the border and the closest I have is LePrevo in Newcastle, or the Identity Store in Matlock, Derbyshire Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmace99 Report post Posted March 17, 2015 I'm a saddle maker and mainly buy from Pittards and Sedgwicks. I have bought from Andrew Midgley in the past and can say they are a great company to deal with they are very helpful and take time to listen. Depending what type of leather you are after the other company I found helpful is Marcus Gear in Walsall and I think they will sell single hides. uksaddlery.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Petewon Report post Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) Anything in north west? Have you tried http://www.neumannleathers.com It's in Bury so not too far from you. I popped in last year and and picked up a few bits. It seemed to be mainly upholstery leathers but the owner was happy to show me round and gave me a cracking deal on a few bits. Edited April 24, 2015 by Petewon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
