during the 1830s thomas ridgway began trading in the bull ring, selling tea. ridgway later went bankrupt. setting up business in london, he paid back all of his creditors and continued his tea trade, becoming one of the first english tea companies to hygienically pre-pack tea so as to avoid adulteration. in 1876 queen victoria commanded house of ridgways to create a blend for her own personal use. in 1863 william sumner (founder of typhoo) published "a popular treatise on tea". in 1870 sumner started a pharmacy and grocery business in high street in birmingham city centre. this grew and forced sumner to move to new premises on castle street and then on to bordesley street at the canalside. typhoo was bought by indian conglomerate company apeejay surrendra group on 31 october 2005.