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Craddock Brothers Limited, Boots and Shoe Works; 1875 – 1974 - Admin History

Craddock Brothers was formed by Northampton born brothers Stephen Craddock (1853-1925) and George Craddock the Elder (1834 - 1890), and his son George Craddock the Younger (1855-1928). After serving his apprenticeship, Stephen went into partnership with his older brother in about 1875 and together with George the Younger, they developed Craddock Brothers Boot & Shoe Works. It is likely they began in retail premises purchased in Snow Hill from 1876 and Victoria Street from 1880, Wolverhampton with manufacturing taking place in the rear of the shops. A factory was later started in Powlett Street to increase output to satisfy demand and this was also the location of the warehouse and offices until 1974. The manufacture of footwear was terminated in 1929 as with an output of 4,000 pairs a week it had proved uneconomical.

[By 1888 in addition to the two Wolverhampton shops, the company had shops in the Staffordshire towns of Burslem, Burton-on-Trent, Hanley, Longton, Newcastle, Tunstall, Walsall, Wednesbury and Willenhall.]

The Wednesbury shop was taken over by George the Elder, brother of Stephen, in 1888 when he retired [from the company] and by 1892 the shop was being run by his son William. The partnership continued with Stephen Craddock and George the Younger, son of George the Elder at their shops at Wolverhampton, Walsall, Willenhall, Hanley, Longton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Burslem, Tunstall, Burton-on-Trent, Crewe and Wigan. Craddock Brothers Limited was incorporated on 24 March 1899 and George Henry Craddock became a Director. Craddock Brothers continued to operate as a family business until 1964.

In 1964 Craddock Brothers Limited was acquired by Clarks as part of the programme to purchase independent multiples to safeguard their access to the market against unbranded retailers. When bought by Clarks, Craddock Brothers Limited comprised 37 shops ? [conflicts with the details given in the news cutting on the death of Mary Forbes that states that 24 shops were sold – “More Craddock notes”] and had a turnover in excess of £1 million. The business became an integral part of Clarks and the headquarters were transferred from Wolverhampton to Somerset in 1974 when Clarks put Craddock Brothers Limited into voluntary liquidation. At this point the remaining Craddocks branches seem to have closed rather than changed to Clarks stores.

Craddock Brothers Directors: George Craddock the Elder (1875 - 1888) Stephen Craddock (1875 - 1925) George Craddock the Younger (1875 - 1928) Stephen Arthur Craddock (1877 – 1934) George Henry Craddock (1878 - 1962) Kenneth G Craddock ( 1912- 1970) Albert Craddock (1880 – 1960) Colin Victor Craddock (1916 – 1961) Mrs Mary Forbes England (1906 – 1987) Gordon Mons Higginson (1918 – 1993 ??)