Local Businesses - Byfords

There have been many local businesses over the years that many of us have fond memories of. A few are still with us in Maltby - Lawrence Bros, Saunders Butchers, Pete's Garage (now Manor Nurseries) and Bowyers which has sadly just closed this year.

I  realised that of course when you ask the question "Which businesses have been in Maltby for a long time"  you obviously get varying answers depending on the age of the person you are asking. So different places are remembered by different people from different times.

But one business that is remembered is Byfords, which was situated where the new Police Station is now. 

Donald Byford opened his own business in 1919 in Leicester. By 1922, his sock business was flourishing and by 1951 he branched out into manufacturing knitwear. We are still tryng to find out the date that Byfords came to Maltby, but by this time it was well known for "men's sweaters and knitted shirts".

Many Maltby people worked in  Byfords and almost everyone's mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent or friend worked there at some time or other, often whole families at once. Some left to work elsewhere over the years and returned later. One lady worked on the press for thirty years and never had a day off.

These were the days when you could leave one job and walk into another - unlike today.

Jobs at Byfords were in the Yarn Store, handfinishing, Press, Rib Knitter, Seamer and of course Supervisor. There were also mechanics working there as obviously the machines needed maintaining.

Jack Marriott worked at Byford in Leicester before transferring to Maltby in late 60's.

Doreen Raynor's first job was working as a shorthand/ty[ist in the Personnel Office of D.Byford &Son when the Personnel Officer was Mrs Allen. She started there in 1955 when she was 17 years old on £3 5s a week. By the time she had paid out expenses she was left with only about 10s for herself. Some of Doreen's friends who were working in the factory on piece work could earn as much as £12. 

There were 2 shifts - days and afters - and when  teams joined up on long days they had such fun that it didn't feel like going to work. Am not sure if the Supervisors saw it this way too ! 

Christmas parties were loved by everyone, especially the children, and many remember going and having a great time.

Janet Richardson Miles' daughter remembers her mother telling her a sad story about their team coach on a night out being involved in an accident with a mini on the motorway. Not all memories are fond ones and the tragic things we usually remember more easily.

But in general, Byfords will go down in history as a good employer of Maltby people and one where work was a pleasure to go to. 

http://www.byford.com/