One family. Many businesses.
At first glance, the Hamptons Group might seem like an unusual collection of businesses. Waste management, scrap metal recycling, agriculture, a farm shop, commercial property and even a shooting range don’t immediately seem to fit together.
But that’s only part of the story.
Look a little closer and you’ll discover that every business has grown from the same family values: work hard, make the most of every opportunity, find practical solutions and never let valuable resources go to waste. It’s an approach that has been passed down through generations of the Hampton family and embraced by the loyal staff who have helped to build and shape the businesses along the way.
Our story began in 1953, when great-grandfather Anthony Hampton founded Hamptons Metal Merchants. As the business grew, customers increasingly needed skips to collect their scrap metal, so adding skip hire was a natural next step. When Tidysite Skip Services, founded by Alan Butters, became available in 2003, grandfather Jim Hampton seized the opportunity to bring the two businesses together. The result was a one-stop shop for waste collection, recycling and responsible disposal.
Today, the group is run by Andy and Liz Hampton. Alongside building the family business, they also shared a lifelong ambition of owning and running their own farm. That dream eventually became reality. Andy spent his days at the Hamptons yard before heading to the farm in the evenings and at weekends. Meanwhile, Liz balanced raising their three children – Leoni, Fred and Charlotte – with managing the business accounts.
As the farm developed, Andy’s brother Rick joined the operation, and it soon became clear that the machinery purchased for agricultural work was just as useful on commercial projects. Before long, neighbouring farmers were asking to use specialist equipment they didn’t have themselves. That demand led to the creation of AJ & EJ Hampton Farm Contracting, which today is headed by Leoni’s husband, Jim Bob Berry Brown. While still firmly rooted in agriculture, the business has expanded to deliver a wide range of construction and groundwork projects.
In reality, these businesses work together far more closely than people might imagine. What is waste for one business often becomes a valuable resource for another. Railway sleepers that have reached the end of their life on a commercial site can find a new purpose on a farm. Waste wood can be recycled into cattle bedding or used to create farm tracks. It’s a practical, common-sense approach to sustainability that has always been part of how we work.
The next chapter came in 2021 with the purchase of Baa Hill Farm Shop. It completed the journey from land to table, allowing us to supply locally reared meat and produce while supporting British farming, reducing food miles and making the most of what our own farm can provide. It’s another example of our commitment to using resources wisely while making sure our local community benefits from the work we do.
Bar Hill Sporting came about for a simple reason. We already had a beautiful countryside location, so it made sense to share it with others who love spending time outdoors. Sometimes, the best business decisions are also the most rewarding.
Hamptons Property grew in equally practical fashion. When we purchased our current headquarters, the site offered far more space than we needed. Rather than leave it unused, we created high-quality commercial premises and storage facilities that other businesses could benefit from.
So yes, on paper we’re an eclectic mix of companies. But each one exists because it solved a real problem. Over the years, every new venture has grown naturally from the last, supported by generations of the Hampton family and loyal members of staff who share the same commitment to doing things properly. Together, they have created a family of businesses that works closely in so many ways. Today, the Hamptons Group is united by shared values: recycling, sustainability, agriculture, practical thinking and a determination to make the most of every opportunity.
It may be an unusual combination – but to us and our customers, it makes perfect sense.