A lost Liverpool factory known for manufacturing hosiery was a place where generations of staff "loved" to work.
Located in Woolton, the Bear Brand factory employed generations across Merseyside and had a long history in the area. The businesses trade name was American in origin, as Mr Howard Ford started in the hosiery business by importing stockings, some from the Bear Brand Hosiery Company of Chicago.
Mr Ford later bought the trade name Bear Brand for use in the United Kingdom and Eire and started manufacturing stockings in Liverpool. The site survived across the generations, also avoiding World War II bombers during the blitz as the Woolton factory turned out thousands of parachutes for the war effort.
Read More: Lost shop fronts and restaurants rediscovered in rare Allerton Road photos
The ECHO recently shared photos of inside Liverpool's Bear Brand during its latter years in the seventies, eighties and nineties. They show staff inspecting the tights, inside the hand packing room and more.
At one point in time, Liverpool playwright Willy Russell was amongst those who worked in the Woolton factory. An annual cruise is also said to have taken place for staff.
But by 1997, work began to demolish the factory to make way for a Tesco supermarket. Villagers fought a big battle to halt the plan and won support from the council.
A number of public meetings were held to discuss the plans. But Carter Commercial Development appealed and a government inspector decided the scheme should go ahead, the ECHO reported in August that year.
While the site has now been gone for some time, it is still alive in the memories of those who worked there. Below are 20 fascinating photos of Woolton's Bear Brand factory decades before.
Many employees have since taken to social media to reminisce about their time at the factory. And for some - it was their very first job.
On Facebook, Eric Ann Mcferran said: "I worked there in the 60s it was great loved it i was on blue floor with Mr Glen and Miss Brown I packed the nylons happy days." Pat Robinson posted: "Worked here from 1976 after leaving school, left in august 1980 to have my daughter."
Kathleen Withe said: "My first job worked on the blue floor 1967 maiden name Bell, only 15 then, met lots of girls really enjoyed working there, thank you for the memories." Sharon Gwilliams wrote: "I worked on cut n sew from 1976 to 1980."
Did you work at the Woolton factory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Ellen Roberts commented: "I worked for Bear Brand from 1967 till 1971, was taken on to be one if the first tights packer, loved working there." June Jones posted: "Wow my mother in law worked there for absolute years and i worked on the late shift from 1986 on the big machines."
Audrey Hastie commented: "My Mum worked there before the WW2. She told me how much she enjoyed working there." Pat Mcintyre commented: "Worked as a runner when I was 15."
Loraine Wilson said: "Worked there in the office in the 60s with my two sisters Brenda And Susan nee Atkinson a lovely place to work." Rose Glennon wrote: "I worked there when I was sixteen loved it . Made some a lovely friends great bunch of girls. Xx"
Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.
And on the ECHO website, Dougal2 said: "I worked at bear Brand from 1970 to 1974, as the Work Study Engineer. I set the Piece Rates for the various operations. From the photos, I recall John Henry, and Beryl Jamieson. Other names I recall are Ted Devlin, Brian Williams, Maria Hancock, MAC McDonald, and George Brimage, the Knitting Room Manager. George gave me the nickname Dougal, as he said my hair reminded him of the dog from the Magic Roundabout ! How things have changed. :-)."
What do you miss most about the past? Attractions, lost venues or perhaps the way of life. Take a look at our nostalgia survey
A number of ECHO readers also said it was the place where their parents met. Christine Gaster said: "My Dad was a fitter through the late 40's until late 60's. He met my mum who also worked there along with her mum. I also worked there in the knitting room."
Shelley Powell commented: "My mum and dad met each other whilst working there in the 1950’s …. He was an engineer/ maintenance and mum was on shop floor. They married in 1957." And on the ECHO website, LizzzieS said: "My Mum and Dad met there. My Mum worked in the office and my Dad was sales manager."
Some readers also shared their memories Bear Brand's products. And others called the images of the factory "a blast from the past."
Michelle Sharpe said: "They used to see bear brand tights in Ethel Austin back in the day." Patricia Smith posted: " I used to wear Bear Brand the were nice !! I had just started Nursing 1979, and we had to wear a certain colour plus we had to wear Brogues brown or black! Lovely memories!!!."
Michelle Moody-Jones posted: "Wow I remember walking past the building in Woolton where the Tesco is now situated as a girl my how time as flown." And Sgt752 said: "Wow blast from the past completely forgot about the factory and yet my eldest sister worked there."
See more nostalgic images from the Bear Brand Hosier Factory at PicStory Where you can also search for more local photos
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
