Cobblers: C & J Clark Shoemakers

In the 1950s Clarks expanded to open 15 new factories in the South West including Plymouth because the available workforce in Street was too small to meet demand. New shops and stores were also opened, including, in 1957, Clarks' first flagship store on London's Regent Street. In July 1966 a re-structure forced the company to annouce the closure of this factory in Plymouth with the loss of 320 jobs as production began to move abroad.

Quaker Brothers James and Cyrus Clark operated a tannery in Street, Somerset. In 1825 using offcuts they made their first sheepskin ‘Brown Petersburg' slipper. Reliant on outworkers, James' youngest son, William took over the business in 1863 and modernised the manufacturing process by adopting a factory system and introducing Singer sewing-machines. The first form-fitting shoe designed specifically to fit the shape of the foot was produced. Today, Clarks is an internationally recognised brand.