Page 21 - Real Rochdale Issue 20 Winter 2023

Graham Poole Road Transport there, the business grew from two vehicles to

over 20 vehicles over the next four or five years.
This was partly due to winning the contract with
Mauser UK shortly after they moved into
Littleborough in 2007. It was also due to the fact
that the business had expanded with both Apex
Logistics and TJ Morris.

In 2009, Graham was asked to join The Pallet
Network. A separate business was started with
three other people, running alongside GPRT for
the first 12 months.

It was then decided to give the new company Mick Talks, Steve Schofield, Mick Connelly, Graham Poole,
a name and run it independently, giving rise to Rachel Poole, Angela Metcalfe and Wayne Pilkington
GPT Logistics in 2010, with Graham and three at the anniversary event
other people as directors and shareholders.
Graham Poole Road Transport is run by
By 2012, GPRT had outgrown its operating Graham’s daughter Rachel, who joined the
centre on Fishwick Street, and in January 2013 company in 2011.
moved onto the Klondike on Chichester Street,
where the company still operates from today. In March 2020, Graham opened a new
GPT Logistics and Apex Logistics also both warehouse facility at Belfield Hall Farm in
operate from the same site. Rochdale: a 44,000 square foot warehouse, with
Littleborough haulage company Graham Poole The company has capability to transport over 4,000 racked pallet spaces and 11,000
square feet of bulk stacking space. The facility
Road Transport celebrated its 25th anniversary anything from a small envelope right up to a 44t also has four dock levellers giving the ability to
load.
decant and reload shipping containers.
in September. However, the Klondike’s capacity was too big Currently GPRT and GPT Logistics operate over

for what they needed – and the Rochdale LGV 50 vehicles and 60 trailers between them, from
The company was founded in 1998 by Graham pay, which at the time was unheard of. That offer Driver Training was born in February 2013, the Chichester Street site, and they currently
Poole, of Littleborough, after working for saw the continuation of Graham Poole Road which currently has three instructors, two rigid employ more than 100 people locally.
Wincanton out of the Tesco Distribution Centre Transport (GPRT) and provided a much-needed and two artic training vehicles.
in Middleton for nine years. lifeline for Graham. Graham decided to semi-retire from his active
role within the company on 3 January 2023, with
Graham started by getting permission from his Shortly after starting the night trunk for Apex, then-operations manager Wayne Pilkington
good friend Barry Lang to use his land in Graham received another phone call from Alan being promoted to position of managing
Littleborough as his operating centre. Beech, someone whom he worked with for many director. Graham still owns the business and
years at Tesco. remains present and on hand when needed.
There were lots of ups and downs during the
early years. One Sunday afternoon, Graham had Alan was now working as Transport Manager for Over the years, he has supported local charities
work which would keep him away until TJ Morris (Home Bargains) and wanted a route including Springhill Hospice, Jolly Josh, Fund
Wednesday; Graham said to his wife, Andrea: covering at short notice; Graham managed to Polly, Reuben’s Retreat, Littleborough Boxing
“This is my last load - after this, I am calling it a find a driver for his truck and covered the route. Club, Littleborough Rugby Club. He also does
day.” This became the foundation of a long-working the Santa truck each year handing over 1,500
relationship between TJ Morris, Apex Logistics selection boxes out to local children.
On that very trip, Graham received a phone call and GPRT, which has continued since 2005.
from Steve Ashworth whom he had known for A celebratory event was held on 9 September to
many years. Steve was looking for someone to In 2006, GPRT moved to a new operating Graham Poole, Allan Chadwick and Terry Britton pictured at mark the company’s 25th anniversary.
cover his night trunk and offered Graham weekly centre on Fishwick Street in Rochdale. From Tesco on Stakehill Industrial Park in September 1999

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