What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Leaders Paper Merchants Ltd, 131 Stockton Street, Middlesbrough (2026)

05/12/2025

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS 🎅🏼 in stock now !!
- 9” Catering (Kraft)
- 12” Middle Range (Red & Green)
- 14” Deluxe (Gold)

Limited stock left …

13/08/2025

Soup Kettles available in store !!

21/07/2025

🍾💙 125 YEARS 💙🍾

This year one of Teesside’s oldest family-run companies is celebrating its 125th year in business.
Leaders Paper Merchants based on Stockton Street, Middlesbrough was first established in 1900 by entrepreneur George William Leader who collected waste paper and cloths by hand cart.

George’s son, Albert, joined the company in the 1920’s until his sons, Peter and Albert Junior, carried the business through to the fifties at Lower Gosford Street. During World War II Peter was on night watch when Middlesbrough train station was bombed only 100 yards away.

They then moved into new premises to Fleetham Place, Middlesbrough where business began to prosper, during this time the building suffered a major fire and had to be demolished. In 1973 it was decided to construct a purpose-built warehouse to accommodate the increase of packaging demands. The business still trades from the same warehouse to this day by Peter’s son Mark, who is the fourth generation, along with his wife Helen.

In 1992 Peter Leader died. The same year Mark met Helen who became involved in the business, one of her first jobs was to source a second-hand word processor.

Mark and Helen married in 1996 and together continued to grow the business. In 2000, the business celebrated 100 years and from 2001 until 2005, the couple welcomed three children - Jessica, Thomas and Lucy.

Joyce Leader (Marks mother) died in 2014 and in 2018 Jessica and Thomas joined the business. During 2020 the Covid Pandemic struck and, like most companies, it hit their line of business. Although the company was classed as an Essential Key Worker - they were part of the food chain for the NHS, prisons, high street food outlets and restaurants - Goverment guidelines meant that they had to close the shop/showroom and warehouse to the public. They continued to trade collections and deliveries only, but with social distancing.

Whilst the warehouse was closed the family decided it was a good opportunity to refurbish the shop. After helping in the business all through Covid daughter Lucy joined the company. Then in 2024 the shop re-opened to the public.

Now their refurbished shop which offers a wide selection of goods for the catering, janitorial and bar businesses as well as stocking a wide range of general packaging, disposables and party goods.

Mark “As you can imagine, from our family beginnings in 1900, our forebearers have had to adopt to changing trends in goods, transport and premises over the last 125 years. With new family blood introduced to the company, I don’t see why we cannot trade for another 125 years. Our children (5th generation) are already looking into future developments, which include a new website and EPOS till system. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new and understand the importance of a welcoming personal service.”

23/04/2025

PLEASE READ ‼️

This weekend will be the last Saturday we are open.

We have decided to open a late night on Thursdays, this will start on Thursday 1st May.

Please find our new opening times below ☺️

We apologise if this causes any inconvenience.

Thank you LEADERS Paper Merchants Ltd

09/04/2025

EASTER WEEKEND CLOSING DATES ‼️

Good Friday (18th April) - CLOSED
Easter Monday (21st April) - CLOSED

Please be aware that there will be no deliveries on these dates !

We are open as normal on Saturday 19th (9:00-13:00)

Thank you
LEADERS Paper Merchants