About Us

Tom Northeast our founder T. Northeast Ltd was started on 21st. July 1959 by Tom Northeast. Later, when they had finished their service in the RAF, both of Tom's sons came to work with their father in Horley. Both Rex and Leon ran the business for many years, seeing trends come and go in scooters, minicars and motorcycles in general. After many years as the foremost Bond agents in the area, and when the time was right, the Reliant franchise was also taken on. Apart from anything else this necessitated a move-around of the premises, and the resultant reshuffle inside the shop itself can still be seen with the office right in the way. Rex Northeast Back in 1959 the British bike industry was in full flight and BSA, Francis Barnett and Ariel were well represented by the company, concentrating mainly on smaller machines. For the commuter market a Lambretta scooter agency was soon taken on. The business went from strength to strength building a good reputation based on friendly, reliable and honest service. The reputation for always having something on the shelf to get you out of trouble saved many people from a long push home. Leon With Mrs Steeres Rex managed the stores whilst Leon looked after machine sales and the paperwork sides of the business. Apart from being deaf and only having one arm Rex established a reputation for being a real character both locally and in the bike trade in general. He was always willing to help someone out and many a night would stay working until midnight to sort out his orders, and he never failed to answer a knock on the door from a stranded motorcyclist. Leon left the business in 1989 to pursue his other love of wine. He moved to a small hotel and vineyard in Tuscany, where he stayed for many happy years until his retirement, when he returned to the UK. The Current Team The fully equipped workshop has seen many changes over the years in terms of equipment and personnel, but a few things have never changed; one is attention to detail and pride in the work. Another is the workshop foreman Keith Taylor. Keith joined the firm in 1976 and is quite a character in his own right. Very often he has the rest of the staff in stitches as he regales them with stories about his smallholding, his love of ships, or his beloved full size steam roller. Rex's wife Shirley joined the firm early in 1989 having worked in banks and the cash offices of major businesses. It seemed only common sense for her to take over the running of the company books. Shirley still works part-time, taking care of all the accounts and paper-work that seem to be necessary to the running of a modern small business. Ian, Rex's youngest son, started work with the company in late 1989 having just finished an engineering apprenticeship. Originally he started in the workshop and worked with Keith for about eight years, learning the business as it were. He now takes care of the day to day running of the company. Both Al and Russell are the 'new boys' having started in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Al now works with Keith having 'done his time' as he puts it, as a despatch rider in London. Russell left Art College with some fantastic plans most of which he still has. He now works behind the counter. In 2006 the company embarked upon its most ambitious project yet, when one of its suppliers announced his intention to retire. Bavanar products ltd, the former importer of Royal Enfield, KTM, Beta and Hyosung motorcycles decided to take a well earned rest. When he did so the new importers of Hyosung decided to stock only spares for the new models, which left a gap in the market. T. Northeast are now the sole importers of spare parts to fit all Hyosung models and all road going Beta's.