Howlett and White (later Norvic) Shoe Company Ltd, St Georges Plain

I led a Heritage Walk for Colin today around some of the old shoe factories in the Colegate and Fishergate area and I thought a related article would be of interest.  

A leather business originally established on site in 1846.  In 1876 Howlett and White were established.  Over the years that followed the factory on St George's expanded and in 1909 was described in the press as 'the largest boot and shoe factory under one roof in the kingdom’.

Similar to other Norwich shoe manufacturers the firm initially specialised in the production of high-quality shoes for ladies, but after WWI they recognised the need to diversify which they did by taking over firms that could fill gaps in their range namely: the Nottinghamshire-based Mansfield Shoe Company Ltd that made cheaper ladies shoes; the Northampton-based Oakeshott & Finnemore Ltd that made high-quality shoes for men.; the Norwich-based S.L. Witton Ltd that made children's shoes. In 1935 these companies were formally merged to create the Norvic Shoe Company Ltd. At the time it was the largest footwear manufacturing group in Britain.

Howlett and White escaped the bombing in WW2 and in the 1950s it remained one of the major footwear manufacturers in the country.

Despite its success the St George's factory was dated. In 1961 they met the challenge by opening a new plant called the Riverside factory in the area behind the main factory leading down to the River Wensum. Three years later they opened the modern Heathside factory on Vulcan Road (Mile Cross). 

The firm thrived in this era and it regularly generated annual profits in excess of £500,000 well into the mid-1960s. However, the cost of building new plant took its toll and in the late 1960s this once great firm ran into finanical difficulties albeit it was still employing 1500 employees.  They seemed to be weathering the storm, then in 1971 Norvic were the subject of a takeover bid by Drakes, a London-based investment group. In the years that followed many of the company's assets, including its chain of shops, were sold. By 1981 the company was in a dire position and in July of that year receivers were appointed for this once great Norwich firm.

Here is an excellent website about the Norwich Shoe Industry with a map that shows all the shoe factories and associated businesses in Norwich during the 1950s.  Please select M for the factory location and i for the related information:  

http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/shoe_factories/norwich_shoe_factory_map_2019.shtm

Stay healthy!

Regards

Mike