Hardy & Padmore - Carst iron makers Four Flags Sauce label Steward's Chemists - Finest Glycerine & Rosewater label
Stretton & Co. - Worcestershire Sauce label
 
Welcome to Worcester City Museums and Galleries
CITY ART GALLERY & MUSEUM - SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE EXHIBITION
 
Lea & Perrin's - Worcestershire Sauce label Waldron & Co. - Mandarin Sauce label Waldron & Co. - Worcestershire Sauce label
Hill, Evans & Co. - Malt Vinegar label
 
 
About the Building
Activities & Events
Current Exhibitions
School & Group Visits
Print Loan Service
How to Find Us
Opening Times
 
Home Page
 
The Commandery  
 
The City of Worcester from the West by S. & N. Buck, 1750s
The Spirit of Enterprise exhibition tells the story of Worcester's great trade and industries, and the enterprising people who made them a success.
A bottle label for Stretton's sauce - Click on image for a bigger picture. A great enterprising spirit has always thrived in the city; however Worcester's good location along with transport networks and skilled labour enabled Worcester to prosper particularly during the Victorian period. Many internationally recognised industries flourished during this time, such as quality gloves, prestigious porcelain and the 'original and genuine' Worcestershire sauce.
Ancient Beginnings - While most of these industries have their roots in the Victorian period, Worcester's importance as an industrial centre began far earlier. An iron smelting industry was founded in the city after Roman occupation was established during the 1st century A.D. This industry helped to satisfy the demand for raw materials that the Roman advance brought. Evidence of this industry has been found by archaeologists in the form of furnaces as well as Roman roads containing iron slag throughout the city centre. Roman "Severn Valley Ware" storage jar - Click on image for a bigger picture
During the middle ages many industries were active in the city however the cloth trade became the most dominant, enabling Worcester to become one of the largest producers of broadcloth in England. Due to the abundance of good quality cloth and also leather in the city, it was at this time that the gloving industry took root. This industry was to have far reaching effects on the city until the late 20th century.
Go to top of page
 
INDUSTRIES
Brewing
Engineering
Glove Making
Pottery Making
Shoe Making
Wine & Sauce Making
Introduction
COMPANIES
Cinderella 's
Britannia Brewery
Dent Allcroft & Co.
Courtney's
Four Flags
Fownes Gloves
Hardy & Padmore
Harper & Co.
Heenan & Froude
Hill, Evans and Co.
James Archdale and Co.
Joseland & Sons Larkworthy & Co.
Lewis Clarke & Co.
Lea and Perrins
McKenzie and Holland
Mellor & Co.
Metal Box
Mining Engineering Co.
Robert Allen & Co.
Royal Worcester Spreckley Brothers Ltd. Stretton and Co.
Waldren and Co.
Williamson & Sons
History of Worcester
Old Maps & Plans
Old Photographs & Paintings
Social History Collection
Gallery Plan