WICH - Worcester's Industrial and Commercial Heritage
One of an un-numbered series around Worcester city centre that celebrates the industrial and commercial successes the city has had. Suggestions for sites to be added to this list gratefully received as well as information about the already published caches.
In 1837 the Worcester trade directory listed 71 boot and shoemakers and sellers in Worcester.
One of the largest was run by Henry Willis whose company called Cinderella's was one of the first in Worcester to make clever use of a brand name to sell his products. This ensured that his products were easily identifiable. The firm built up a huge customer base all over Britain and even sold in the British colonies through the use of travelling salesmen.
When Henry was joined in business by his brother James in 1860, they went on to build a purpose built factory in College Street. At the beginning of the 20th century, James took over at Henry's death and went on to employ more than 350 people.
In 1914 the firm moved to Watery Lane in St John's however from then on the firms fortunes changed. Rapid changes in fashion and increased foreign competition meant that demand for their products decreased.
The firm was taken over by Great Universal Stores, and then in 1972 A & H Meltzer a London manufacturer. However it was liquidated in 1976.