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Wolsey (Clothes)
Encyclopedia
Wolsey is a heritage British clothing brand originally founded in 1755, making it one of the oldest existing textile companies in the world. The brand sells men’s clothing and accessories, including a 'Made in Britain' range of knitwear, socks, underwear and scarves. Its new Wolsey ‘Expedition’ collection is inspired by garments supplied to Captain R.F Scott and his team of explorers on their mission to reach the South Pole in 1911, in conjunction with the 100th anniversary. Wolsey is owned by John Hargreaves
, the chairman of Matalan. The company holds a Royal Warrant
for its services to Queen Elizabeth II. and is still based in Leicester
, England, where it was established all those years ago. The company’s name was actually created in 1897 when R Walker & Sons merged with W Tyler and Sons. It was taken from Cardinal Wolsey, who is buried near the company's factory. The name ‘Wolsey’ is a registered trademark.
The earliest records relating to the Wolsey business, show that one Henry Wood was trading in Leicester as a hosier in 1744. Several years later, in 1748 he went into partnership with a man called Job Middleton and they were later still joined by another man - John Wrightman in 1750.
Sometime around 1755 Henry Wood dissolved the partnership as he wished to start his own business; Wood died in 1768 and his business was afterwards carried on by his widow, and then later still by his sons and then his grandsons, under the business name of Ann Wood & Sons. In 1842 Robert Walker became a partner and after the retirement of the last Wood family member, Richard Wood the name of the business was changed to R Walker & Sons.
The headquarters of the business was situated near to Leicester Abbey
, which is the burial place of Cardinal Wolsey. To honour this connection the business established the trading name of 'Wolsey' and as such became one of the first brand names.
In 1920, R Walker & Sons merged with W Tyler and Sons and was soon re-named simply “Wolsey” and the business started to trade directly with retailers rather than through a standard wholesale network which was the normal business pattern at that time. The company expanded and began employing travelling salesmen to service the retail accounts and also began to advertise their products across the world. As a result, Wolsey and its sister trading name of Cardinal became household names and then in 1935 the Company was awarded its first Royal Warrant.
In the 1960s the business was forced to seek a merger as a result of massive changes in the retail world and became part of Courtauld
s. At this time the firm traded under various trading names:
After its brief association with Courtaulds, the business left the Courtauld group to become an independent company again and later in 2002 the business was taken over by the Matalan
group. Fergus Patterson was appointed managing director in January 2009.
John Hargreaves
John Hargreaves is the founder and chairman of the large UK out-of-town discount clothing and homeware chain Matalan. He went into the retail business when he was only 16, and opened the first Matalan store in Preston in 1985...
, the chairman of Matalan. The company holds a Royal Warrant
Royal Warrant
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier...
for its services to Queen Elizabeth II. and is still based in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, England, where it was established all those years ago. The company’s name was actually created in 1897 when R Walker & Sons merged with W Tyler and Sons. It was taken from Cardinal Wolsey, who is buried near the company's factory. The name ‘Wolsey’ is a registered trademark.
History
Sometime around 1755 Henry Wood dissolved the partnership as he wished to start his own business; Wood died in 1768 and his business was afterwards carried on by his widow, and then later still by his sons and then his grandsons, under the business name of Ann Wood & Sons. In 1842 Robert Walker became a partner and after the retirement of the last Wood family member, Richard Wood the name of the business was changed to R Walker & Sons.
The headquarters of the business was situated near to Leicester Abbey
Leicester Abbey
Leicester Abbey, the Abbey of Saint Mary de Pratis , standing about a mile north of the city of Leicester in the riverside meadows on the west bank of the River Soar, was built under the patronage of Robert le Bossu, Earl of Leicester. It was founded as a community of Augustinian Canons, the...
, which is the burial place of Cardinal Wolsey. To honour this connection the business established the trading name of 'Wolsey' and as such became one of the first brand names.
In 1920, R Walker & Sons merged with W Tyler and Sons and was soon re-named simply “Wolsey” and the business started to trade directly with retailers rather than through a standard wholesale network which was the normal business pattern at that time. The company expanded and began employing travelling salesmen to service the retail accounts and also began to advertise their products across the world. As a result, Wolsey and its sister trading name of Cardinal became household names and then in 1935 the Company was awarded its first Royal Warrant.
In the 1960s the business was forced to seek a merger as a result of massive changes in the retail world and became part of Courtauld
Samuel Courtauld (industrialist)
Samuel Courtauld was an industrialist and Unitarian, chiefly remembered as the driving force behind the rapid growth of the Courtauld textile business in Britain....
s. At this time the firm traded under various trading names:
- Wolsey,
- Cardinal,
- Lyle & ScottLyle & ScottLyle & Scott is a British knitwear brand, formerly known for golfing knitwear. It acquired a younger more fashionable following with young 'casuals' in the 1980s....
, - Tubbs Lewis,
- Taylor Woods,
- Eminence,
- Wolsey of Canada,
- Wolsey Germany and
- Carl Guildstrand.
After its brief association with Courtaulds, the business left the Courtauld group to become an independent company again and later in 2002 the business was taken over by the Matalan
Matalan
Matalan is a British retailer that specialises in shoes and clothes. It was founded by John Hargreaves in 1985. It currently has 200 stores across the UK. The 200th store opened on 22 September 2006 in Croydon...
group. Fergus Patterson was appointed managing director in January 2009.