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This is Meshe Osinsky, aged 19, in 1904 – outside his very first business, a tailor’s shop in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
He’d arrived in UK 4yrs previously speaking no English and almost penniless. He scratched a living selling shoelaces door to door.
He’d arrived in UK 4yrs previously speaking no English and almost penniless. He scratched a living selling shoelaces door to door.
This is him – bald, serious chap in glasses – a mere 30 years later. By then, Sir Montague Burton.
At this point, he was Britain’s sixth biggest employer, and owned the largest clothing factory in the world. Here he is showing the Princess Royal around it.
At this point, he was Britain’s sixth biggest employer, and owned the largest clothing factory in the world. Here he is showing the Princess Royal around it.
His business? Burton, The Tailor of Taste.
His factory workers were offered a gymnasium, a ladies’ cricket club, free dental check-ups and a bank deposit scheme offering a generous 5 per cent interest on savings.
His factory workers were offered a gymnasium, a ladies’ cricket club, free dental check-ups and a bank deposit scheme offering a generous 5 per cent interest on savings.
Here’s Don Bradman on tour England for the Ashes, 1938 getting a suit made at Burton’s.
Burton’s was, for many years, a great, aspirational brand making high quality clothing that lasted for years.
Burton’s was, for many years, a great, aspirational brand making high quality clothing that lasted for years.
Anyway, Montague Burton was my great-grandfather. Always been proud of what this immigrant Jew achieved.
Burton’s had lost its way long before Sir Philip Green took over. But I hope a new owner might rescue brand – once as synonymous with decent workers’ welfare as good suits
Burton’s had lost its way long before Sir Philip Green took over. But I hope a new owner might rescue brand – once as synonymous with decent workers’ welfare as good suits
