The company traces its origins back to Worcester-based Skarratt's jewellers and watchmakers in In the early s the catalogue advertised functional clothes including hard-wearing men's dungarees which were suitable 'for mechanics' which 'will stand washing many times'. Owner John Skarratt's grandson took over the business and employed William Kay in the early s.
Kay eventually left the business and set up his own company in called 'Kays of Worcester'. Aided by two clerks and an errand boy, his firm was a strict 'cash with order' business, selling products to customers who subscribed to Kays catalogue.
It became Worcester's biggest employer until it relocated to Liverpool in A companion website was launched in containing hundreds of images from the past. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Argos AO. Privacy Policy Feedback. Did we really wear that stuff?
From prim 50s party dresses to nylon T-shirts designed by Noel Edmonds, the best and worst of the Kays catalogue from the last 90 years Exhibition of 1, images from Kays catalogues from the s to go on display tomorrow Kays originated in Worcester in selling functional workware and household items University of Worcester has amassed the vast archive for 'World of Kays' project - to go on display in city's library The images provide a fascinating snapshot of British tastes through the years over the past 90 years By Katy Winter Published: GMT, 6 December Updated: GMT, 6 December e-mail View comments.
Share this article Share. Share or comment on this article: Kays catalogue from the s to today, the best and the worst After some negotiations, Kay moved his business to a site in Shrub Hill Road. The buildings were modernised and new manufacturing plant installed.
Mail order was driven by the simple need to get goods delivered directly to the customer as quickly as possible and the closeness of the railway helped Kay to make a real success of his business.
In one of those twists of fate, Kay entered into discussions during to buy out John Martin Skarratt, the grandson of the original John Skarratt, and the man who gave him his first job in Worcester.
The two businesses were amalgamated in the May of that year after the contracts were signed and monies paid. Kay could then legitimately claim that his business had been in existence for over one hundred years. An important marketing ploy in the troubled times of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
There was also another very important aspect of this amalgamation. JM Skarratt retired to Cheltenham where he died in Kays entered the twentieth century as a successful commercial concern. The manufacture of many of the items featured in the catalogue was undertaken in the factory in Shrub Hill Road. In particular, the watches and clocks were assembled, by hand, in Worcester. It was stated in the minutes of the board that unless the company did diversify it would go into decline as the competition in the watch and jewellery business was growing.
By , it was again apparent that the business had to change premises once more. The reduction in the need to manufacture goods in Worcester and the expansion of the sales accounting effort meant that a purpose built office and warehouse would be needed.
There was great debate by the board as to how the business could possibly survive the dire situation that prevailed over the war years, particularly as suppliers of their catalogue goods may not be able to deliver them.
Many items were obtained from European countries so it was critical that other supplies could be found. Kay recognised the worth of having a stable workforce and it was at this point in history that a larger number of ladies started to be employed in the company in a wider variety of roles and duties.
These were the men who travelled hence their name around their territory visiting each of their customers, recruiting new customers and maintaining accurate accounts of their business. Kay and his sons, Tom and Edwin, travelled across the U. Kays expanded as a business after WW1 and a review of the catalogues from this period shows the wide range of merchandise that was carried by the company.
By the mid s, William Kilbourne Kay took a reluctant step backwards from the running of the company due to his continuing ill health. This resulted in Jack Kilbourne Kay, the youngest son, resigning his commission in the Army to take up a directorship in the company in By the end of the decade, William Kilbourne Kay was suffering more and more with ill health and, in May , he died at his home, The Elms, Battenhall , Worcester. Edwin became Chairman and M. Both brothers were in their mid to late forties by and had decided that they could not continue running the company.
They decided to sell the business and started to look for a suitable buyers. The history of the company now takes another turn. One of the immediate results of the involvement of Isaac Wolfson in the running of the company was that a new building was constructed on some land owned by the company along the road from number 23, The Tything. These became the stockrooms and additional offices for the company and were opened in January Unfortunately these offices caught fire in May and were totally destroyed as a result of the inferno.
The impressive facade was left intact and can still be seen at The Tything. New single-storey office accommodation was built behind this impressive frontage after the war finished. World War Two saw similar challenges to that experienced in Additionally, there was an increase in Yarn sold from ,yrds to ,yds.
He and Meyer are still the joint managers of the company 19 June Meyer reports an increase in trading activity because of good weather and the purchase tax 13 February George Meyer requests and gains his regular approval for spring journey to France, Germany and Switzerland on business terms.
T Nicholson is re-elected as chairman for the STMC 18 December Lucas and Meyer are inquiring about the possibility of adding additional shares within the company and it is reported that Chairman Nicholson may retire at the start of the New Year 15 January John.
Scottish Textiles and the SCWS Key thoughts The company has had a successful growth in its first 6 years of operations with an increase in profit each year; despite a slow start in acquiring looms There are signs that the STM are doing well, which can be seen from the increase in remuneration payments to directors In indications of how the company grew can be drawn from the attempts to expand in the German markets The key person who is mentioned most frequently and who seems to be involved in every aspect of the company is joint managing director George Meyer.
He runs a lot of the financial accounts for the company and involved in all the foreign expedition on company business There has been a lot of rotation of the position of Chairman However, and most importantly, in December the company goes into abeyance and the earliest recorded minutes after this are in November The company indicates to Rayon Weaving Association of its resignation as a member.
The letter is withdrawn from the Chamber of Commerce 15 March There are still tensions between Meyer and Douglas in which the board appear to favour the side of Douglas.
Another series of letter correspondences transpires 14 May There is a long detailed listing of financial records from November — May 15 November Business within the STMC carries on as usual; although, there are still indications of Meyer and Lucas and the company not being on the same page with regard to business and financial matters 30 July No sales have been recorded in the last 7 months, with the exception of the month April There are further disagreements between Meyer and Douglas over the financial fees that need to be settled with other companies 7 October It is announced that on 13th August that Meyer has handed in his resignation as a joint managing director of the STMC.
Additionally, the company shall now be operating as a marketing company 16 December Mr. Aitchison is elected chairman. John A. Sterling is elected secretary. The company thanks Douglas and Patterson for their work for the company over their many years of service. The company is still aiming for clients in the hotel market 9 February Mr. J Aitchison retires as chairman and is replaced by Mr. Nicholson retires as a director and is replaced by Mr.
Gavin Shearer 13 February A new page catalogue is planned to be completed by April with products such as footwear, drapery, and furnishing goods; however, the STMC are warned by Rutherglen Society about the infringement their new ventures in the mail order trade has on their business and the business of fellow commercial partners.
Consequently, they order the STMC to cease trade in the mail order areas in which they are situated 8 May The new page catalogue is ready to be issued within the following fortnight 28 August The sales have continued to increase and there are talks of additional schemes to further increase sales 13 November The Company plan on inaugurating a national scheme for mail orders with the issuing of the new catalogue for 1st September Consequently, the company start a pilot scheme in the T.
W welsh region through the medium of television The company expect that when the national scheme begins that substantial profit will develop as a result 18 December Mr. W Ferguson hands in his resignation as chairman. Webb as senior mail order executive and Mr. Cutler appointed in a senior administrative capacity 20 August A new page catalogue will be published by the end of August 1 October New strategy of television advertising is a success and the STMC are keen to further improve and boost sales 22 October The STMC appoints Mr.
Grangle as outside sales manager.
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