A Hucknall History

Industrial Developments

CWS Factory Expansion

Comparing original L shaped factory layout against ultimate aerial mapping clearly reveals results of massive expansion. The CWS had firstly purchased an agreed 2½ acres, offered with option to permit any potential site expansion. Eventually they claimed the entire 5½ acre plot of former Huthwaite garden allotment grounds.

The Unwin Land Society sold off this whole plot after offering 1 free acre to specifically entice this secondary industry. That group incidentally did also build some nearby houses. Those forming a named Unwin Street may have helped entice relocation of some key staff coming from the former Leicester works.

Having started off in 1908 employing around 400, the Co-Operative Wholesale Society successfully sought to significantly expand its range of Huthwaite hosiery manufacturing. Resuming 1919 negotiations results in acquiring more land to claim a total 4¼ acres.

North Street Extension

The CWS described 1920 completion as "one great extension", that added 47,500 square feet of flooring. Extending roadside length another 100ft down steeper North Street placed 1919 date stone over a new office doorway. Retaining uniformity of original large windowed brick work disguised seamless addition incorporating latest main entrance.

Keeping same roof line over steep descent added a third floor level. Old High Street cart entrance was left bricked up after recognising North Street factory address better enabled motorised HGV access.

Discovering the Co-operative Society Ltd. Hosiery Works made 1928 proposal for a machine room and yarn store, must represent just one of several alterations made to their Huthwaite factory layout. Application for a Mechanic post by Mr G R Pollard of Loughborough was accepted June 1929 to show broadened employment interests.

No mention found dating early swap from steam power to electricity, nor acquiring another sizeable plot siting their Sutton Road sports ground, despite publicly inviting a 1933 pavilion opening. Rooms lit by mains electric could obligingly afford to partially block large lower windows when neighbouring residents felt need for privacy.

1934 Sale Rooms

Adding rooms to impress and comfortably entertain customers and guests showed mention to opening a large 1934 saleroom plus buyers dining room. The Cooperative Wholesale Society canteen staff may have also helped refresh visiting teams invited to play in various leagues upon their own sports grounds.

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Coronation of King George VI shared year of next major expansion, where more 1953 decor marked crowning Queen Elizabeth II.

1937 Four Storey Block

An updated 1938 CWS company history simply dated "a further large extension" recently being added to their Huthwaite Hosiery Factory. That separate four storey block squared off the existing factory complex by filling lower north rear side. Although hidden by existing roadside structures, it wasn't shy presenting a modern construction. Very prominently stood sighted off Huthwaite Park beyond that 1946 recreation sandpit, it would eventually overlook broader scenic plantation across Brierley Forest Park grounds.

Expanding largest Huthwaite employer of young women into single biggest village employer when totally upward 1500 workers, began before Britain entered a second World War. Among other wartime roles, here discovers a secret relocation for the main Royal Navy Medical Supplies Depot. Resuming peacetime manufacturing will have introduced an even broader range of CWS branded textiles from this Huthwaite hosiery factory.

Group shots fronting 1952 double door entrance recognised Mr Tuckwood completing 48 years society service. More employees may be named sharing other held family photos, until entire Huthwaite CWS workforce received 1969 notice of redundancy.

1969 CWS Redundancy

Majority of staff were soon after offered reemployment through takeover by the Mansfield Hosiery Company. Many readily found available jobs among Sutton towns competitive hosiery factories. Some chose to stay and resume work in a modernised Huthwaite complex. Production recommenced upon newly installed machinery starting off year 1970. Winning lucrative Marks and Spencer contracts turned manufacturing towards a fashionable range of skirts, trousers and tailored jackets. Corporate identity changes had thereafter best known the Meritina Clothing Factory. Their Factory Shop opened after establishing new 1978 Common Road works.

Angloprint may recognise another corporate renaming. Relocating the Mansfield Hosiery Companies printing works into sharing the North Street complex, started Angloprint producing all in-house packaging for finished garments suiting Marks and Spencer sales.

Subsequent rebranding among complex UK textile giants may well reflect increasing shift towards cheaper foreign manufacturing. Signed frontage for Coats Viyella Clothing followed 1988 renaming of Meritina. A decade later and Coats Viyella finally announced mass closures. April 1998 at least afforded 3 months redundancy notice, but little hope of finding similar work when affect went far beyond Ashfield District textile manufacturing. Considering recent closure of a national coal industry, local impact was devastating.