Grace's Guide
British Industrial History
Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 146,068 pages of information and 231,597 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.
Albert Reuben Atkey
From Graces Guide
Sir Albert Atkey (c1867-1947)of Nottingham.
At 13 he had gone to work in the corporation water department, training to become an engineer. His interest was cycling, and by the age of 18 he had opened a cycle repair shop in Canal Street, Nottingham.
A. R. Atkey and Co, motor engineers was established in 1897 and a year later, Albert travelled to South Africa to sell his cycle accessories, establishing lasting friendships both there and in Rhodesia.
He set up the first car sales room in Johannesburg, in 1902.
By 1921, with a son and grandson to follow him, he had registered offices in Trent Street and a motorcycle branch at 109 Arkwright Street.
Parliament Street became the main showroom and there were other branches in Mansfield, Derby, Ashbourne and Uttoxeter.
He was a major distributor for Austin.
Twice married, he died, aged 80, in November 1947.