K Shoes
of Kendal and later of Lancaster also
Company formed by Robert Miller Somervell
1845 Moved the business to Bridge End, Netherfield
1848 Entered partnership with his older brother John Somervell
1853 Purchased the whole Netherfield site
1853 Somervell Brothers, Netherfield.[1]
1857 Introduced sewing machines
1871 Employing 500 people.[2]
1875 Registered the trademark 'K'
1899 Company now employs 600 persons.[3]
1915 Became a limited company
1920 Built a factory at Lancaster
1927 London office opened
1937 With C. and J. Clark the took over the failing Abbots retail chain
1949 Became public company - K Shoes ltd
1951 Opened a factory at Low mills, Kendal. later opened others at Askam-in-Furness, Workington, Millom, Shap.
2003 Production ceased.