The Story of Littlethorpe: From Heritage Windows to Hand-Built Bus Shelters

15 January 2026 | Tags: Built To Last, bus shelters, Community Design, Craftsmanship, FSC Wood, Made In Britain, Parish Council Projects, place-making, public infrastructure, street furniture, sustainable design, UK Manufacturing

When you look at a Littlethorpe shelter, you might just see a bus stop; but there’s a story behind every shelter that’s rooted in family, craftsmanship, and an unwavering belief in doing things properly. We dig into the early years of the company and how it became the leading UK supplier in hand-built hardwood bus shelters.

A Craft Built from Care

Littlethorpe began in 1983, as a small joinery workshop focused on making heritage timber windows and doors. Based in the village of Littlethorpe, Leicestershire, the company was family-run from day one with Norma in the office and her husband Andy leading the woodworking side.

Before long, Littlethorpe was using traditional joinery methods on all types of projects from bespoke wooden displays for heritage brands to historic woodwork restoration on listed buildings.

How a One-Off Shelter Changed Everything

Little did they know that when Market Harborough council reached out with a unique problem to solve, the future of the company would change. The town centre was undergoing renovation works and new shelters were needed to improve public transport.

While there were many options for shelters, the town needed something that looked like it had always belonged. Surrounded by historic buildings and even its own 400 year old school house built on legs, metal and plastic shelters just wouldn’t cut it. The council knew they needed something that would fit in.

After becoming well known for its traditional wood working capabilities, Littlethorpe was approached to design and build bespoke wooden bus shelters. The team delivered and figured that was the end of it.

People noticed.

Before long, other councils began asking for the same thing and soon, Littlethorpe was building more shelters than windows. The shift happened gradually at first, then all at once. The family-run joinery business would become the UK’s leading supplier of hardwood bus shelters. Not by chasing trends or clever marketing, but by sticking to what they knew best: quality craftsmanship, built to last.

What’s Changed and What Hasn’t

Over 40 years later, a lot has changed. Littlethorpe outgrew the original village workshop and now operates from a dedicated factory in Leicester. The team has expanded. The tools have evolved.

“We still use a lot of traditional Wadkin equipment,” Tom explains, “because it was made in Leicester, and it was built to handle real timber.”

Tom himself officially joined the business in 2018, taking over the reins just before the COVID pandemic hit. Since then, he’s steered Littlethorpe through supply chain shifts, industry changes, and growth in demand while keeping the ethos of the company intact.

What hasn’t changed? The commitment to doing things by hand, using proper joinery, and resisting the pressure to cut corners and inflate prices.

Why Wood?

Some people are surprised when they hear that Littlethorpe’s shelters are made from tropical hardwood. But there’s good reason for it.

“Back when we first started building shelters, a new client specifically requested we used softwood to reduce costs. We advised them not to, but they insisted. After a few years it rotted and needed to be replaced. It didn’t last,” says Tom. “Now we only ever use FSC®‑certified tropical hardwood. It’s stronger, denser, more durable and lasts decades; far longer outdoors than softwood and even oak ever could.”

Littlethorpe build with what they know will last. Wood that’s sustainably sourced, expertly finished, and hand-built using mortise and tenon joints.

“From components to fitting, every part of a Littlethorpe shelter passes through someones hand.”

What Does ‘Hand-Built’ Really Mean?

Every Littlethorpe shelter is built from scratch in the Leicester factory. That doesn’t mean flat-pack kits or CNC machines. It means traditional tools, skilled hands, and a team where every joiner knows how to build an entire shelter from start to finish.

Roofs are tiled shingle by shingle. Panels are clamped, joined and assembled by hand. The building and finishing process takes about a week per shelter as many of the components are prepared in batches months in advance.

There are quicker ways to do things. But it’s the right way that matters.

“CNC machines are great for mass production,” says Tom, “but they can’t replicate the feel of a handmade shelter. You lose the soul of it. We’d rather invest in our team than in a machine.”

Built to Fit

Littlethorpe doesn’t offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. While it offers a standard range of options, because every shelter is made to order, customers can adapt length, height, colour and glazing options to suit their space and setting.

This isn’t about upselling either. In fact, the team often work with clients to recommend the most suitable shelters to help reduce costs, both on the purchase and in future maintenance. (You can read our guide to specification and installation here.)

“We always say, it’s not about being the most expensive. It’s about what’s right for the location and community.” Tom explains, “We prefer to be the most valuable option, not the most costly to the public.”

Regularly supporting smaller councils with funding advice, helping guide first-time buyers through the highways process, and even working directly with local installers to keep costs down. That mindset has earned Littlethorpe a reputation for being collaborative and honest, and it’s why people keep coming back.

Still a Family Business

Today, Littlethorpe is still a proudly independent, family-run company. Tom leads the business, with his wife Cara now working in the office. Many of the team have been with the company for years and the approach to training reflects that longevity.

“We train new staff on every part of the build process, from machining components to fitting a finished roof. There are no production lines and no one’s boxed into a single task. For us it’s about keeping the craft alive, passing on skills, and making sure every shelter that leaves the workshop is something the whole team is proud of.”

To find out more about Littlethorpe’s hand-built shelters, or to discuss any specific requirements regarding specification, funding or installation simply call or email us.

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