Global tyre firm’s legal threat to ‘little man’

WORRIED: Andy Bridgewater

A FURLOUGHED worker who launched a small business from his garden shed has been threatened with legal action by the world’s biggest tyre manufacturer.

Andy Bridgewater, 41, set up his resin flooring company last year.

As he hoped to work with friend John Stoner, also 41, he named the new venture Bridgestone Designs.

But Andy has now received a 43-page letter from multimillionpound Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone demanding he change his new company’s name. Andy, from Hereford, said: “It was a real kick in the teeth. At first I thought, is this a joke? Is someone trying to throw me off course?

“But the more I read into it I realised it’s actually true.

“One of the biggest companies in the world is trying to knock me, the little man, out of business before I even get started.

“I wrote back saying I would speak to my legal representatives. I said I don’t mind negotiating a partnership if they are interested, which may not go down very well.”

Andy set up the business in August after he was furloughed from his job as a refrigeration parts sales manager back in March.

He said: “With the pandemic I was worried for my security, my family, the mortgage. So I just thought I’d start up a little business.

“There was no intention to use Bridgestone because it’s a massive name. What are people going to think? That Bridgestone tyres has branched out to do resin floors and surfaces in Hereford?” Andy, who served in the Royal Engineers, continued: “I have spent between £4,000 and £5,000 so far.

“If I change the name I have to start completely from scratch and I just cannot afford to do that.

“And if it came to court I just couldn’t afford to fight them – I wouldn’t have a chance in hell.”

A spokeswoman for Bridgestone said: “We are in correspondence with Mr Bridgewater and awaiting a response, so will not be commenting on this matter.”