Registration number:

Company name: Wilkinson & Riddell Ltd
Dates in business: 1851-1890

Type of business: Retail drapery

Type of company: Private limited liability company 1851

Locations:

• 78 Bull Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
• Temple Row, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

Company history

In 1851 William Winter Riddell and Henry Wilkinson opened a retail drapery shop at 78 Bull street, Birmingham. The business was successful and in 1863 a wholesale branch was also established in Temple Row. John Rackham and William Matthews were apprenticed to Wilkinson & Riddell in 1861 and eight years later both were promoted to positions as floor walkers. By 1878 Rackham had been appointed as dress buyer and Matthews as Linen buyer. In 1881management of the retail business was transferred to Rackhams and Matthews and the wholesale trade was hived off as a seperate concern. Shortly afterwards Wilkinson withdrew completely, in order to concentrate on the prospering wholesale trade, selling the retail shop to its new managers.

Access points: Retail trade - Drapers