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Mr. THOMAS GRAY,
The City Removing and Storing Contractor, Gray's Repository, Palin Street, Hyson Green, NOTTINGHAM.
THE exigencies of the active life of the present day, combined with the cheapness of locomotion, make removals of small moment as compared with the similar event of twenty years ago, when it was an accepted dictum that "three removals were as bad as a fire." The invention of the pantechnicon van has, of course, greatly assisted in the improvement in this respect, but more important still is the fact that the removing industry has attracted the attention of capable business men possessed of ample capital, and has not been left entirely to the bungling of the enterprising greengrocer. The oldest removing and storing business in the Midland Counties is that conducled by Mr. Thomas Gray, the proprietor of Gray's Repository, Palin Street, Hyson Green. The undertaking referred to dates from the year 1825, when it was started by the father of the present principal, who, by the way, was the first to introduce covered vans into the local trade. At the outset, premises were occupied at 7 Parliament Street, but the accommodation here available gradually proved inadequate, the consequence being that a move was made to the existing establishment in Palin Street. The latter covers a total area of about 3,600 square feet, and comprises stabling for twelve horses, together with spacious van and pantechnicon sheds, erecting and repairing shops, a large furniture depository, and Mr. Gray's private residence. The whole property has been arranged on the most convenient lines, and with a special regard to the requirements of the branch of activity engaged in, and the buildings throughout are of modern construction and fitted up in the best style, having been expressly erected to Mr. Gray's own designs in 1879. Four other spacious yards in the immediate neighbourhood are also requisitioned for the purposes of the business. As regards the removal department, a matter of twenty-two vans are at the principal's disposal, together with a stud of horses equal to any demands which may be placed upon them. Removals of any magnitude and to any part of the world are undertaken on the lowest possible terms; and as affording some idea of the wide-reaching character of the operations engaged in, we may mention that at the time of our visit a large household removal to New York was about to be taken in hand. Estimates are given gratis as required, and under the firm's system breakages are practically unknown, the staff employed being skilled and experienced in the art of packing, and capable of dealing with the most valuable and delicate effects without risk or accident. Only men of good character are engaged, and Mr. Gray supervises each job in person, thus insuring thorough efficiency. The Depository, for storing purposes, is a spacious red-brick structure of three floors, and divided into separate compartments about one hundred in number, and each capable of holding a full van-load of goods. Communication with the various floors is effected by means of powerful hoists; the stores are heated with steam pipes, so as to ensure entire freedom from damp, and needless to say every precaution has been taken against fire. Indeed the same care is bestowed in storing as in removing, and the fact that the Depository is generally well filled with goods proves that it is regarded in the light of a public convenience, and that the proprietor enjoys the confidence of an influential and wide-reaching clientele. Particulars as to terms for storage—which are very moderate —may be had on application. The workshops embrace a well-equipped forge and blacksmithing department, also wheelwrights', carpenters', and repairing shops for vans. Mr. Gray builds and repairs the whole of the vehicles used in the business, being thus at a great saving in first cost and cost of maintenance; and it is to this circumstance, combined with the careful lines on which the concern is managed, that the reasonableness of his charges is no doubt due. The telegraphic address is "Gray's Repository, Nottingham," and the telephone No. 1567.
Messrs. J. GREEN & CO., Limited
Manufacturers of Baby Carriages, Children's Toy Carriages, Mail Carts, &c, Queen Street, Old Basford, NOTTINGHAM.
OLD Basford forms quite an important industrial suburb of Nottingham, and amongst the principal factories in the neighbourhood is that of Messrs. J. Green and Co., Limited, manufacturers of baby carriages, etc. The firm referred to has been in existence many years, but its career of prosperity may be said to have commenced in 1874, when Mr. J. Green first became connected with the concern. In 1895 it was converted into a private limited company, under the managing directorship of Mr. F. O. Harland, who also acts as secretary. A visit to the Company's works shows them to be perfectly organised and equipped, and capable of an enormous output; and, moreover, at once suggests the great strides which have been effected in the particular departments of production represented. The premises are located some three miles distant from the centre of the city; being, however, easily accessible by rail or tram, and very well placed in the matter of transit facilities. They cover close upon an acre of ground, and present a lengthy frontage to Queen Street; the principal elevation consisting of two storeys, whilst the warehouses and stores are of four storeys. After visiting the offices, we proceed at once to the smiths' and tool shops, which adjoin each other, and afford every facility for turning out a large amount of work. Close by are the body-making, joining, painting, upholstering, and finishing departments—all admirably equipped and replete with the latest and most approved appliances known to the trade. In the saw mills the woodwork is marked out and cut into the desired sections by means of powerful apparatus; passing later to the joiners' shops (72 feet by 15 feet), where a number of men are employed making up the carriage bodies. The paint shop is a spacious chamber of the same dimensions as the joiners' shop; and one has only to glance at the work here in progress to see that it is of an exceptionally high order of merit. After painting and varnishing, the bodies are stored in a dust-proof room to dry, being subsequently taken to the erecting shop, where the springs and bottom work are attached. Next, they are taken in hand by the upholsterers, and so finished ready for placing in stock. Before leaving this central section of the establishment, we visit the japanning and enamelling departments; proceeding thence to the warehouses, where some 10,000 pairs of wheels of different sizes are stocked, together with large numbers of finished vehicles in all patterns and styles of finish.
The Company's output may be classified under two main heads, viz., "Baby Carriages"—a term more clearly indicative of the present-day light, airy, and well-hung vehicles, than the old term, "perambulator"—and toy carriages and mail carts. For each of these lines Messrs. Green issue separate illustrated catalogues, containing particulars of over a hundred varieties of carriages, which range in price from 21/- to 168/-, and from 1/- to 50/-. As makers of toy carriages and mail carts in particular, they do what is probably the largest turnover in the United Kingdom; and the demand for their other specialities is almost equally extensive. Amongst the more notable items put forward we may instance the new carved barouche, in satin walnut, oak, or mahogany, mounted upon cee springs and leather straps, or upon full curl springs, and fitted with 26 and 20 in. bicycle wheels, reversible brass-jointed hood, and Crockett's first-quality leather upholsterings. The price of this vehicle is 126/-, and there can be no question that it is well worth the money. Another excellent production is the firm's special cane mail cart, which may be used either as a single or double cart, or as a bed for one child. This carriage is mounted upon cee springs and leather straps, fitted with 26-in. and 12-in. bicycle wheels, fast or detachable hood—as preferred, Crockett's first-quality leather upholsterings, and folding shafts ; and the price is 110/-.
We should add that Messrs. Green and Co. employ about a hundred operatives, and have agents in all parts of England and Scotland; and London show-rooms at 60 Burdett Road, E. The Telegraphic Address for the works is "Green, Limited, Old Basford," and the Telephone No. 1587.