Our Story

Family Business Since 1992

Over 30 years of excellence in portable sanitation solutions across Somerset and the South West

30+ Years Experience
Family Owned
South West Coverage
Meet Our Team

The People Behind Our Success

A family-run business with a dedicated team committed to exceptional service

30+ Years Experience

Steve Richards

Founder & Director

Started the company in 1992 with a vision to provide quality portable sanitation solutions.

30+ Years Experience

Jackie Richards

Founder & Director

Co-founded the business while working as a nurse, bringing care and attention to detail to our service.

Becky of Burnham Portable Toilet Hire family company, photo of her smiling in front of a branded logo fleet vehicle Family Member

Becky

Hire Contracts Manager

Steve and Jackie’s daughter, managing hire contracts and customer relations.

Family Member

Mark

Operations Manager

Son-in-law bringing expertise to our daily operations and logistics.

Our Standards

Professional Accreditations

We maintain the highest industry standards with full compliance and certification

Safety Training South West

Certified member ensuring highest safety standards

Certified Safety First

Qualified Drivers

CPCS Skills Card & CPC qualified professional team

CPC Qualified CPCS Certified

Environment Agency

Registered and compliant waste management

Registered Eco-Friendly
Our Journey

The Story of Steve & Jackie Richards

From a simple idea over a glass of wine to Somerset’s trusted waste management company

1992

How It All Began

At ages 40 and 39 respectively, Steve and Jackie Richards saw a gap in the market. Steve had been working on the gas with a background in the Army, while Jackie was working full time in nursing. Over a few glasses of wine, the idea of portable toilets emerged.

Started with just 10 portable toilets and a small van with pump unit

Early Days

Building the Foundation

The first toilets came in flat pack form – like “grown-up Meccano”! Steve would finish work on the gas, get home, load the toilets and make deliveries, often in the dark. Jackie would join him, both determined to make it work.

First client: a snack wagon in a Taunton layby

Growth

Expanding the Business

From 10 units to 40, then to 100, the business grew through sheer determination. Steve worked without taking a wage for 3 years, while Jackie continued nursing to support the family.

Expanded to 260+ units and 3 service vehicles

Today

A True Family Business

The business has grown to include Steve and Jackie’s daughter Becky as Hire Contracts Manager and their son-in-law Mark, plus additional employees. The company now employs 8 full-time staff.

At Burnham Portable Toilet Hire, we're always here to help with a friendly smile. Dealing with human waste is our specialty, and we love shovelling it around. We've seen it all!

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

The principles that guide everything we do

Family Values

Operating with the care and attention that only a family business can provide.

Sustainability

Committed to eco-friendly solutions and reducing environmental impact.

Excellence

Maintaining the highest standards in service and equipment quality.

Reliability

Consistent, dependable service you can count on every time.

Always get a great service from Burnham Portable Toilet Hire! No issues at all with them.

Cheers

Paul Middle

Purchasing Manager
BDW South West (a trading name of BDW Trading Ltd)

We’ve hired toilets for well over ten years for our cycling events at busy times of the summer, without one single problem – a perfect record.

Coxy


The Somerset 100 and FlanRou

Burnham Portable Toilet Hire have always provided us at Strongvox homes a friendly and professional service when hiring Welfare, Septic tanks, and Toilet hire.

Josh Freeman

Buyer / Quantity Surveyor
Strongvox Homes

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Experience the difference of working with a family-owned business that puts your needs first.