Leigh Mills Co: 1920
THE LEIGH MILLS COMPANY, LTD.
THIS company, originally called "The North Warwickshire Worsted and Woollen Spinning and Weaving Company, Limited," owed its creation to the great distress prevalent amongst the Coventry ribbon weavers in 1862. The cotton factory, which was burnt out in 1890, and which is now part of the premises of the Daimler Co, came into existence a little earlier for the same purpose, while the Swift Co is the descendant of an undertaking, also started in the early sixties, for the relief of the unemployed — that of making sewing machines.
It was editorially stated in the Coventry Herald & Observer of July 3rd, 1863: "A rumour has been in circulation for the last three weeks that a Company was being formed for the purpose of introducing the cloth weaving into this district. Without being able to glean anything from an authoritative source, we believe we may say that a meeting was held at Fenton's Hotel, London, a few weeks ago, and among the company were Lord Leigh, C. N. Newdegate, Esq., and a number of influential gentlemen, both of this county and others.
"The meeting was called for the purpose of considering the distressed state of the operatives of Coventry and North Warwick, and to see if something could not be done to alleviate their distress. The question of introducing the cloth weaving into Coventry came under discussion, and a deputation of the cloth weavers of the North were in attendance and gave information. Ultimately it was decided to form a limited liability company, capital £25,000, for the purpose of introducing the cloth weaving or some analogous trade into the district, a number of the persons present forming themselves into a Committee for the purpose of carrying out the object. We understand that the Committee have since been in treaty with the Coventry Steam Power Co with a view of obtaining a lease of a factory in Hill Street."
The North Warwickshire Worsted and Woollen Spinning and Weaving Company, Limited, was registered on the 8th August, 1863. The first directors were: Lord Leigh (Chairman), Mr. James Darlington (Deputy Chairman), Mr. C. H. Bracebridge, Mr. J. Clark (Astley Castle), Mr. J. B. Gubbins (Leamington), Mr. B. Dunn, Mr. Henry Browett, Mr. Thomas Jenkins, Mr. J. Gulson, and Mr. Greaves (Warwick).
It was decided to make a beginning with a capital of £5,000, and at first to employ no less than 100 looms in weaving worsted or Bradford stuffs, and Mr. Jonas Illingworth, of Shipley, Yorkshire, was appointed manager. The weaving shed at the Cotton Mill was rented. In 1866 the directors purchased the freehold of the premises now occupied in Hill Street, and erected a new weaving shed for 400 looms.
In April 1869, the company shortened its title, the name being changed to its present style, "The Leigh Mills Company, Limited."
A perusal of the annual reports of the earlier years of the company's working shows that strenuous endeavours were made to create and develop a trade in accordance with the object of the founders.
In the light of recent events, it is interesting to read in the report dated February, 1871: "For the last eighteen months the principal part of the Company's trade has been with France through merchants in Paris. At the time of the declaration of war, a large number of profitable orders were held, and goods to the value of £5,000 had been delivered to Paris houses, but not paid for. The Siege of Paris, and the postponement of payments by the Provisional Government, have interfered with the ordinary collection of about £2,700, which form nearly the whole of the £3,000 of debts on which loss may arise, referred to in the Auditors' Reports." Happily the next Report states: "The Directors have pleasure in stating that the debts owing to the Company by customers in Paris, alluded to in the last Auditors' Report on which loss might arise, have been paid in full."
Owing to the development of the company's business, the capital was increased in 1896 to £50,000, and suitable and very commodious works at Stanningley, near Leeds, were leased, and spinning and weaving machinery installed.
Thrice since the capital of the company has been further increased, until it now stands at £250,000.
The Coventry works, which were greatly enlarged in 1910, are equipped with the latest machinery for the manufacture of worsted coatings, ranging from fine tropical to heavy winter cloths.
The company is a member of the Bradford and District Fine Cloth Manufacturers' Association.
The company purchased, last year, the freehold of the Stanningley Mills and some fourteen acres of land adjoining, while a new spinning mill has recently been erected and fitted with all the most up-to-date spinning machinery.
The total floor space of the Stanningley works is well over four acres. Worsted yarns are spun for both the Coventry and Stanningley weaving sheds, the spinning department running over 23,000 spindles, the wools manipulated ranging from the finest Australian merino to medium crossbreds.
Over four hundred dress and shirting looms are installed in the Stanningley sheds, making the celebrated "Admiralty" dress serges and the fine all-wool taffeta shirtings for which the company is noted, while in addition many novelties in ladies' dress goods are produced.
The principal selling centre is the company's warehouse at 53, Leeds Road, Bradford. The London depots are: 7, Milk Street Buildings, Cheapside, E.C., for the shirting and general shipping; 18, Golden Square, W., for the home cloth trade; and 18, Watling Street, E.C., for ladies' dress goods.
The company's productions are known the world over, and from its philanthropic commencement it has now grown to an undertaking which ranks among the foremost worsted manufacturing establishments in Yorkshire.
See Also
Sources of Information
- From Coventry Chamber of Commerce Year Book 1920