Record details
| Title | William Barratt 1877 - 1939 |
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| Description | William Barratt was a self-made Northampton shoe manufacturer who donated funds to build the Barratt Maternity Home, greatly improving the safety of childbirth. He was nationally well known in the shoe industry for his progressive ideas and methods, and Barratt shoe shops were once found on every high street in the country. |
| Location | William's plaque is located adjacent to the original entrance doors of the Barratt Maternity Home on Cheyne Walk, Northampton.NN1 5BD. |
| Summary |
William Barratt, and his wife, Alice, are best remembered for financing the building of the Barratt Maternity Home with an initial gift of £20,000 in 1934. The Home was opened in July, 1936, and William explained that he and Alice had desired to do something in their lifetime, of a lasting character, for the benefit of the town. The establishment of the Barratt Maternity Hospital was a huge enhancement to medical provision in Northampton. At a time when home birth was still the norm, it made giving birth much safer. William Barratt’s influence and philanthropy were derived from his success in business as a shoe manufacturer. By the time of his death, W. Barratt and Co. Ltd. was one of the largest business concerns in the country, not only manufacturing but also retailing shoes. Sons of a boot sewer, William and his brothers had become shoe workers by their early teens. William managed one of Manfield’s shops in London, then his father’s boot shop in Gold Street, which later he bought. By 1902, he and his brother David had a boot shop in the Drapery. Their innovative idea of selling boots by post was resented by the manufacturers who cut off supplies of boots and shoes, resulting in the brothers’ bankruptcy. However, in 1907, the brothers started a new company, W. Barratt and Co, Ltd. with two of their other brothers, Albert and Richard, as nominal shareholders. William and Richard became joint Managing Directors, and they pioneered the sale of shoes by aerial delivery. In 1913 they opened a new factory on the Barrack Road, the Footshape Boot Works, and added a chain of retail shops, advertising their wares with the slogan “Walk the Barratt way,” which became famous internationally. By 1939 there were 150 shops. William Barratt was also active in politics. As a young man, he was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Federation, one of the forerunners of the Labour party. In 1904 he stood twice, unsuccessfully, for the town council. His third attempt came 25 years later in 1929, when he was elected as Labour councillor for Delapre ward. In 1930, William contested Bethnal Green at the parliamentary election, but was narrowly defeated. In 1935 he became a Northampton magistrate. William Barratt’s socialist principles influenced his attitude as an employer and manufacturer. He supported state regulation of the industry and unionisation of the workforce. More significant was his concern for the working conditions of his employees. The Footshape Works was designed for the comfort of its workforce, with air conditioning and natural light through roof vents and widows with clear glass. An up-to-date conveyor reduced lifting and carrying, and a canteen served tea free of charge, and made hot meals available. Welfare services included a benevolent scheme and contribution-free pensions. William was also a regular contributor to good causes, including a rest home for the unemployed, and the Mayor’s Fund for the Red Cross. In 1939, Northampton Town footballer, Syd Russell, broke his leg so badly during a game that it had to be amputated. When the Chronicle and Echo raised £845 in donations for Russell, William Barratt made it up to £1000. This gesture was entirely in keeping with William’s consistent support for sporting and leisure activities in the town. He was a Director of Franklins Gardens Sports and Pleasure Company, and a Committee member and later President of the Saints Rugby Club. He had been a member since 1902, and had taken part in several sports as a young man. As a town councillor, he advocated the introduction of Sunday games for young people. William Barratt’s lasting legacies are the Barratt Maternity Home, the birthplace of countless Northamptonians, and his widely influential innovations in shoe retail methods, advertising and factory design. The portrait of William Barratt was kindly provided by the Northampton General Hospital Archive. |