A C Gill Marquise Factory, Fletcher Gate, 1989.

This building with its fine Victorian brickwork and sky-blue painted woodwork was a major supplier of hairnets and grips, and also the patented Nyloklix nylon press-stud, which was guaranteed rustproof and heatproof.

The manufacture of Guipure Lace necessitated a 12 ton machine with 682 needles all running simultaneously. The Lion Hair Care brand was acquired in 1980, which included gloves, brushes and curlers, and A C Gill produced the world’s first all-nylon lace in this factory.

Numbers 4 and 6 Fletcher Gate demolished in the latter half of the 80’s housed the local Communist Party Offices and F.H. Brown Lace Manufacturers.