KIDMAN & SONS LTD

 


Charles Kidman
1852-1936


Charles Kidman was born in Linton, Cambridgeshire, in 1852. He became apprenticed as a bricklayer, moved to Cambridge in the early 1870s and in 1876 started his own building business.

He concentrated on house building and by the time the 20th century dawned, he had built most of the distinctive terraced houses in the Romsey area of Cambridge.  Several of the streets, Charles Street and Rosa Terrace to name but two, were called after his children and relatives.

With profits made from building houses Charles Kidman turned to to contract work which enabled the Company to expand so successfully that he was able to retire before he was 45, leaving his four sons to run the business.  The Company continued to grow and at its peak employed over 200 in 1938.

The second World War interrupted progress but soon after, with the next generation now in charge, the Company flourished again. It is proud to have contributed so much to the buildings in Cambridge and to have worked in nearly all of the Cambridge Colleges.

Today, with the fourth generation in charge, the Company now specialises in small extensions, repair and refurbishment works. Kidman and Sons Ltd has gained a reputation for making the building process an enjoyable experience for its Clients, both private and commercial.


A view of the original works in Sturton Street, 1894