Kirby & West Dairy

James Kirby, a ‘cow keeper’ started a dairy business in Highfields in the 1860s
Kirby & West opened a new premises on Western Boulevard in 1934, famous for its Art Deco frontage
They were an innovative company, inventing milk vending machines and developing the electric milk float

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A Working Town
Kirby & West Dairy

Three Generations of Kirbys

James Kirby, a ‘cow keeper’, started Highfields Dairy at 36 Hanover Street, now Andover Street, in the 1860s. After James died in 1878, the dairy was run by his son Thomas. The business grew and was very profitable. Thomas bought a new family home, Evington Parks Lodge, as well as a farm, livestock, farm machinery and more buildings. When he died in 1893, Thomas left the dairy business to his son Harry.

The dairy on Hanover Street, date unknown

The Move to Western Boulevard

Although the dairy is called Kirby & West not much is known about Mr West. He was a partner in the company in the early 20th century. In 1920 Frank Smith bought the dairy. It grew, took over other smaller dairies, and in 1934 moved to new premises on Western Boulevard. The new dairy had a striking Art Deco frontage with white, green and blue tiles. By 1960, 17,000 gallons of milk were being processed and bottled daily at the dairy. The building was demolished in 1997 making way for Bede Island.

View of the Kirby & West building (far right) and Castle Gardens

New Delivery Methods

Kirby & West developed innovative ways of delivering milk. They invented milk vending machines which provided fresh, chilled milk, 24 hours a day. The machines were placed in factories and were very popular with workers. They also developed electric milk floats, designed by Frank Smith’s son Harold. The floats had a top speed of 12 miles per hour. One was driven from Leicester to Land’s End, and back again, for charity. This float now belongs to Abbey Pumping Station Museum.

Today, Kirby & West is part of the national company Pensworth, which operates across the Midlands.

Timeline

Victorian Leicester

Gallery

James Kirby outside the Highfields Dairy
Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland

Worker with a dairy hand cart, c1926
Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland

Kirby & West Vending Machine
Leicester Mercury

Kirby & West milk float at Abbey Pumping Station

Kirby & West, watercolour by Jenny Cook

Kirby & West building, Western Boulevard, 1994

The dairy on Hanover Street, date unknown

View of the Kirby & West building (far right) and Castle Gardens

Roman Leicester

(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.

Medieval Leicester

(500 – 1500) The early years of this period was one of unrest with Saxon, Danes and Norman invaders having their influences over the town. Later, of course, came Richard III and the final battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought on Leicester’s doorstep.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.

Georgian Leicester

(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.

Victorian Leicester

(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.

Edwardian Leicester

(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.

Early 20th Century Leicester

(1910 – 1973) The diverse industrial base meant Leicester was able to cope with the economic challenges of the 1920s and 1930s. New light engineering businesses, such as typewriter and scientific instrument making, complemented the more traditional industries of hosiery and footwear manufacturing.

Modern Leicester

(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.

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Roman Leicester
Medieval Leicester
Tudor & Stuart Leicester
Georgian Leicester
Victorian Leicester
Edwardian Leicester
Early 20th Century Leicester
Modern Leicester

Continue exploring

A Working Town

Corah and Sons - St Margaret's Works

Corah was established by Nathaniel Corah, who began buying hosiery in Leicester to sell in Birmingham in 1815. He was born in Barlestone, Leicestershire in 1777 and trained as a frame-smith to produce garments on a knitting frame.

Makers Yard

The buildings at 82-86 Rutland Street, now Makers Yard, form the earliest surviving example of an unpowered hosiery factory in the East Midlands. They were originally built in stages between 1854 and 1863 for J. Brown and Sons, a hosiery manufacturer specialising in gloves.

Auto-Magic Car Park (Lee Circle)

Originally known as the Auto-Magic Car Park, Lee Circle is the oldest multi-storey car park in Europe.

Leicester Union Workhouse

Following the Poor Law Amendment Act, the Leicester Union Workhouse opened in 1839 to help the most poor in society earn a living.

Gas Workers Cottages

The Gas Works operated 24 hours a day and so the workers needed to live close by. Leicester Corporation built 201-247 Aylestone Road for the gas workers in 1878. The 24, three-storey houses were the first council houses in Leicester.

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