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Swallow Raincoats

Hi Alan. as you know this building is being changed and renovated in certain areas one being the offices connecting to the outer wall on one side, the developer has agreed to keep the original outer wall, which is now part of the interior of the offices in plain brick as a feature, what we are looking for is the original date of build and first user if possible, this info will be placed on a plaque hung on the wall for visitors and staff to see. hope that makes sense.
As to Ronnie saw him a fortnight past he's a little older but still the same humour and I did ask if he had contacted you but as his sister said he lives in the dark ages wont put credit in the phone she gave him. any info on swallow would be appreciated.,,Edd,,
 
hi edd thanks for the update on the swallow raincoats building..what a smashing idea to put up a plaque...all to often we lose the interior structure of our great buildings but at least the facade is kept intact as a testament the great working class industry we once had...will try and find find the info you want although our mikejee is very good at this sort of thing as well so maybe he can also help

lyn
 
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Is this the place? Corner of Gt Hampton and Well St - Caroline gave location in the second link above. Viv.
 

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Astoness said:
hi edd thanks for the update on the swallow raincoats building..what a smashing idea to put up a plaque...all to often we lose the interior structure of our great buildings but at least the facade is kept intact as a testament the great working class industry we once had...will try and find find the info you want although our mikejee is very good at this sort of thing as well so maybe he can also help

lyn
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Swallow!'s was a bit further along Gt Hampton Street Lyn. You can see the Pelican building in this 1970s Keith Berry photo, with Swallows just in view far left. Viv.
 

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And another view looking down Gt Hamption St with Swallows in the distance. Was always fascinated by Gt Hampton St when travelling along it on the #29 /90 bus into Town. In the 60's and 70's it was quite dark and all the buildings were covered in grime. Now it seems to be having a facelift and the true beauty of many of these buildings is again being uncovered. So many buildings have lots if details - and lots of decorative tiles and brickwork. And so MANY of those buildings have survived. Lovely to see. Viv.
 

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It looks as though it started around 1947. Addition: just found out that they made soldiers uniforms during the war, so obviously before 1947.

This is at Southend on Sea.
Swallow Southend on Sea.JPG

Swallow trade mark.JPG
 
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Vivienne14 said:
Is this the place? Corner of Gt Hampton and Well St - Caroline gave location in the second link above. Viv.
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yes thats it viv...you can just see the what was the woodman pub sticking out on the corner of well st and barr st
 
Not sure when they started in Birmingham but they made coats for the US army in WW2 as well as British forces.

Janice
 
They certainly did Janice. Like Burberry who I think made coats for WW1 soldiers - hence the name trench coat. Here's the US 'on active service' coat and the full US trademark registration mentioned by Carolina above. Viv.
 

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They also seem to have had a football themed advertising campaign too. I remember footballers such as Trevor Francis wearing these sort of jackets when out and about (but not on the pitch of course). "Winners at home and away" and "Start the style season ...... Fine in the rain". Only in the UK could a company see the benefits of standing in the rain watching a football match. Viv.
 

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that's the place we are at the end of the building in well st the wall is our party wall thanks Vivienne
 
Hi Guys and Girls it is the actual date the building was erected we are after, a bonus would be the first occupier, I doubt swallow raincoats was the original occupier but would love to be proved wrong, I say swallow raincoats as most people know the building as this, I worked in part of the building for the past 35 years and have no idea when it was built thanks edd
 
I think you need a search of the Kelly's directories in the library. There are more volumes than can be found online and this might help identify when the building was used by Swallow and also who occupied it earlier.
Swallow are listed in Well Street in the 1939 telephone directory. The earliest I can find them in Well Street is May 1928. In 1927 there is a Swallow manufacturing company in Newmarket Street but I am not sure if they are the same company or not.

Janice
 
11111qYou are lucky, as it is often difficult to betermine when a building was built. howverthis building is in the Jewellery Quarter and the John Cattell et al book "The Birmingham Jewellery Quarter" states that it was built c1912 for John Warrillow, stationer, as a printing works, mainly of trade catalogues and other work for the jewellery and metal trades. It was erected in three stages in matching style. the Warrillow monogram is incorporated into the metal wrought iron railings in Well st. the first phase was a four stroied building with a splayed bay on the corner, with a 13 bay length in Well st and three bay length in Gt Hampton St. The building was extended in 1919 along Gt Hampton st, and again later (date not given)
 
Mikejee, and Vivienne, thank you both so much, that is the exact type of information I was hoping for, I can pass this on to the developer who will incorporate it on a plaque for all to see. when done I will post a photo but it will be a while yet, great result thanks edd
 
Edd, this is an extract from Andy Foster's Pevsner's Architectural Guide, Birmingham too. Look forward to seeing the plaque in time. Viv.
 

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For those who've been following this story, here's the Well Street view of the building from Streetview. Mike mentioned the 'W' monogram on the fence, here it is plus a view of one entrance with a little coloured, stained glass detail. Looking at the view along Well Street, it's clear it's a substantial building and I think you can just make out the various phases of development. Viv.
 

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Ed
If you want a copy of the full description in Cattell's book then send me an IM with your e-mail address and I'll scan it and send it to you
 
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Radiorails said:
Harold Wilson wore Gannex raincoats thus giving free publicity. Apart from Diana I wonder who else, who was famous, wore a Swallow raincoat.
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David Bowie! One was auctioned at Christies Looks like it had done the rounds. £2,000 - £3,000 estimate in 2013 - wow, for a raincoat. Viv.
 

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And here's the very article from Bowie's video 'DJ' Viv.
 

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And Fred Bason, American diarist. Never heard of him. Perhaps he got his in the US. The magazine cover is from 1951. Viv.
 

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great research on this building...would it be possible to ask the developers to take some inside shots of the building for prosertity and pass them onto us or has work already started...i would ask myself but at the min my time is taken up with another old building in princip st at the moment....thanks edd

lyn
 
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