Billiard Supply Co Huddersfield
Billiard Supply Co has been serving the snooker and billiards community for anround eight decades. From its humble beginnings in post-war Britain to its current position as a respected name in cue sports equipment, this Huddersfield company represents a fascinating chapter in the history of British cue sports.
Founding and Early History
Billiard Supply Co was started in 1946, the brainchild of Mr Victor Muff, an exceptional billiard player who turned professional in 1950 and businessman, Mr Frank Fisher, a prominent member of the cue sports community.
Initially based at Imperial Chambers, New Street, Billiard Supply Co focused on table maintenance schemes and re-covering tables alongside supplying billiards and snooker equipment throughout the West Riding of Yorkshire. Later the company moved to Beacon Street, Birkby, its current location.
The People Behind the Business
Victor Muff wasn’t just a businessman, he was a formidable billiards competitor. He not only won the Huddersfield Billiards Championship 7 times out of the 9 he entered, he also went on to win the all English title in 1949 after previously finishing as runner up. This experience gave the company an edge in understanding the needs of serious players and clubs, as Muff knew first hand what made the difference between good and exceptional playing equipment.
Victor Muff died suddenly in 1969 and Muff family friend Mrs Frost along with Mr Barry Herbert, then senior fitter took the reins.
Previously, the company would outsource cushion re-rubbering to Peradon & Fletcher and French polishing to Herbert Gough. However, Mr Crowther of Burroughs & Watts taught Barry Herbert how to re-rubber cushions, Barry quickly became skilled in this and later also learned French polishing enabling the Company to do this work in-house.
By 1985 Barry Herbert became sole owner of the Company and built a reputation for French polishing, rubbering and table restoration.
When the cue sports industry sagged in the late ‘70s, the Company adapted and developed the fibreglass “Victor” table, a rare piece of innovation, one of which still survives at Moldgreen Liberal Club.
Billiard Supply Co has evolved from its original focus on equipment supply and table maintenance to offer a comprehensive range of services to the cue sports community. The company still specialises in snooker table maintenance schemes.
The Continuing Tradition
The company’s story reflects the broader narrative of British cue sports, from the amateur enthusiasts of the 1940s to the professional circuits of today. In an age of global corporations and mass production, Billiard Supply Co stands as a testament to the value of specialised knowledge, local expertise, and the kind of customer relationships that can only be built over decades of dedicated service.
John A Smith
Cues n Views
