I used to work there - Corah

Over the years, Leicester has boasted a diverse range of industries from light and heavy engineering, hosiery and textiles, boot and shoe and printing to name but a few. There have also been several large employers in the City, the loss of whom was expected to have been devastating. I suspect not quite as devastating as some smaller towns with a single large employer or industry though.

So, who worked for one of these now-gone employers? Feel free to add threads for companies that I’ve missed.
 
Never worked for Corah's but used to drink in the Pineapple, when it was a good boozer, on Friday dinner.
Come 12.30 the place would fill up with Corah's girls all eager to empty their wage packets before chucking out at 2.30. Happy Days.
 
Everyone in Leicester was connected or related to someone in the knitting or boot and shoe, the biggest round here was the co-op shoe factory knighton fields road East. World's largest when it opened eons ago. Employed thousands. The houses in that area were built to provide labour.
You used to come out the palais on Saturday night and the sound of the circulars and flats was amazing as we went home.
Richard Roberts made a good attendance in the pineapple as well.
 
Everyone in Leicester was connected or related to someone in the knitting or boot and shoe, the biggest round here was the co-op shoe factory knighton fields road East. World's largest when it opened eons ago. Employed thousands. The houses in that area were built to provide labour.
You used to come out the palais on Saturday night and the sound of the circulars and flats was amazing as we went home.
Richard Roberts made a good attendance in the pineapple as well.
My old man worked for Richard Roberts in the late 60's & 70's for years, down Holy Bones. Davis's too, which was a big place I think on Vaughan Way.
He was a hosiery knitter.
Incredible to think now, but he actually gave up his trade as a plumber, because the wages were so good in the hosiery.
 
You used to come out the palais on Saturday night and the sound of the circulars and flats was amazing as we went home.

Christ! That takes me back. Remember thinking it wasn't my problem until Monday.
 
I worked for Ladies Pride, one of the best Hosiery and Textile Companies in the Business. Was a brilliant place to work for. Also, if you had a job there it was a Reference in itself. Wonderful place, people and memories. Yes, being in the Knitting was great money, too.

Now, the City Mayor always mentions the City's "Proud and Historical" Hosiery industry as he tries to include the Sweatshops and make them a part of that History. That is a total insult in itself, as he funds them to the tune of £300,000, to get them trained up correctly. With votes at stake, the successive MP'S and Labour Councils have always turned a blind eye to all this since they started up in the late 1970's. A disgraceful comparison to the true Leicester Hosiery trade as it was.
 
Last edited:
I worked for Ladies Pride, one of the best Hosiery and Textile Companies in the Business. Was a brilliant place to work for. Also, if you had a job there it was a Reference in itself. Wonderful place, people and memories. Yes, being in the Knitting was great money, too.

Now, the City Mayor always mentions the City's "Proud and Historical" Hosiery industry as he tries to include the Sweatshops and make them a part of that History. That is a total insult in itself, as he funds them to the tune of £300,000, to get them trained up correctly. With votes at stake, the successive MP'S and Labour Councils have always turned a blind eye to all this since they started up in the late 1970's. A disgraceful comparison to the true Leicester Hosiery trade as it was.
Ladies Pride, the old man worked there too, & chilprufe
 
I worked for Ladies Pride, one of the best Hosiery and Textile Companies in the Business. Was a brilliant place to work for. Also, if you had a job there it was a Reference in itself. Wonderful place, people and memories. Yes, being in the Knitting was great money, too.

Now, the City Mayor always mentions the City's "Proud and Historical" Hosiery industry as he tries to include the Sweatshops and make them a part of that History. That is a total insult in itself, as he funds them to the tune of £300,000, to get them trained up correctly. With votes at stake, the successive MP'S and Labour Councils have always turned a blind eye to all this since they started up in the late 1970's. A disgraceful comparison to the true Leicester Hosiery trade as it was.
Mrs worked at ;Ladies Pride around 1966 ..said it was good took them and Day Trips
 
I think Chilprufe was where we where kitted out in vests from, definitely thermals.
All of the jumpers etc we wore as kids, knitted by Grandma ,were from yarn which the old man "Got from work"
 
Did my work experiance at Glovese,Mum worked at Pex...used to get load of second socks.Used to go to Corahs factory shop for my vests!Did my apprenticeship at Premier Screw and Repetition on Woodgate.All now sadly gone.
 
Back
Top