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Samworth Brothers

  • The first Samworth Brothers business was founded in 1896 by George Samworth
  • In 1993 the group opened a state-of-the-art bakery, Bradgate Bakery, in Leicester with the potential to make 50 million sandwich units a year
  • Sir David Samworth was knighted in 2009 for his charitable work and served as High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2010

Walker & Son 

The Samworth Brothers connection with Leicester dates from 1986 when the family business purchased of famous Leicester pie makers, Walker & Son. Today Samworth Brothers, now a fourth-generation family business, is one of Leicester’s largest employers, with three large manufacturing sites and a major distribution centre in the city. Walkers was established in 1820 by a Mansfield pork butcher, Mark Walker, who came to Leicester with his son, Henry James Walker, to open a butcher’s shop in Leicester High Street. On outgrowing the High Street shop, the firm moved to larger premises in Cheapside, which, in time, became Leicester’s best known pork butchers. 

 

Samworth_delivery_car.jpg
A Walker & Son delivery man in the early part of the 20th century

A Family Business

The first Samworth Brothers business was founded in 1896 by George Samworth. He was a familiar figure to many of the pig farmers of the West Midlands, buying up their livestock to sell on to the pork butchers of Birmingham. In time, he was joined by his sons, George and Frank, with Frank’s sons, Frank Junior, John, and David taking over after his retirement in 1969. 

After the sale of the original Samworth family business in 1978, John and David Samworth created Samworth Brothers, born from the acquisition of Ginsters in 1977 and Walker & Son. In 1993 the group opened a state-of-the-art bakery, Bradgate Bakery, in Leicester with the potential to make 50 million sandwich units a year.  

sam2.jpg
The Samworth family at the wedding of Frank Samworth

A Part of the Community Today 

Today Samworth Brothers is an important part of the Leicester community. It employs around 5,500 in and around the city, with sites in Beaumont Leys (Bradgate Bakery & Walker & Son), Cobden Street and Leicester Forest East. The business is regarded as one of the UK’s leading chilled food manufacturers and also owns wellknown brands such as Ginsters, Soreen and Higgidy. It is an active participant in Leicester city life, supporting many local charities and community organisations. The Samworth Foundation, the Samworth family charity, also supports other projects across the East Midlands. Sir David Samworth was knighted in 2009 for his charitable work and served as High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2010. 

 

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Sandwiches made by Bradgate Bakery -
Sandwiches made by Bradgate Bakery
Pies made by Walker & Son -
Pies made by Walker & Son
George Samworth c.1933 -
George Samworth c.1933
Sir David Samworth (1935-2022) -
Sir David Samworth (1935-2022)

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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A Working Town

Abbey Pumping Station

This impressive Victorian building is a fitting tribute to the importance of the hygienic disposal of sewage. It is the only engine house in the world where you can still see four working examples of the Woolf compound rotative beam engine in one building.
Aylestone Road Gas Works and Gas Museum

The Works included many offices, stores and ‘retort’ houses where the coal was heated to make the gas. Production was increased many times over the years to keep up with Leicester’s growing population.
Luke Turner & Co. Ltd.

In the mid-19th century the manufacture of elastic webbing for boots, stockings, braces etc. was a very profitable business in Leicester. Supplying both the footwear industry and hosiery, the Luke Turner company extended the uses to which the material could be put.
Fox’s Glacier Mints

Peppy the Polar Bear being introduced to another stuffed polar bear
King Street

The area where King Street now stands was originally developed from 1811 for residential use. By the 1850s however hosiery merchants started building factories and warehouses here, transforming it into a busy industrial area that lasted until the 1980s.
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