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{{Short description|Former biscuit manufacturer and grocery retailer}}
{{Short description|Former British biscuit manufacturer and grocery retailer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
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'''Wright's Biscuits''' was established in 1790 as '''L Wright & Son''', in [[South Shields]]. In the 1930s they implemented intensive factory methods for production and became a national supplier of biscuits and cakes, and a leading employer in [[Tyne and Wear]]. They also ran a large chain of grocery stores under various names, and controlled fellow grocery chain Moores Stores. The business became part of [[James Goldsmith|James Goldsmith's]] [[Cavenham Foods]] group in 1971.
'''Wright's Biscuits''' was established in 1790 as '''L Wright & Son''', in [[South Shields]]. In the 1930s they implemented intensive factory methods for production and became a national supplier of biscuits and cakes, and a leading employer in [[Tyne and Wear]]. They also ran a large chain of grocery stores under various names, and controlled fellow grocery chain '''Moores Stores'''. The business became part of [[James Goldsmith|James Goldsmith's]] [[Cavenham Foods]] group in 1971.


==History of Wright's Biscuits==
==History of Wright's Biscuits==
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Wright's Biscuits was established in 1790 at Holborn in [[South Shields]] to produce ship's biscuits.
Wright's Biscuits was established in 1790 at Holborn in [[South Shields]] to produce ship's biscuits.


After a fire in 1898, completely new buildings were created at Tyne Dock. In 1933, Willie Webster became a director of the company with Frederick Cross, and the business name changed from L Wright & Son to Wright's Biscuits Ltd.<ref name=chronicle2015>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/wrights-biscuits-factory-dozen-delicious-8805378|title=Wright's Biscuits factory in a dozen delicious archive photos from South Shields|newspaper=Chronicle Live|date=10 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Liimm9nkRgC&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22|title=The Directory of Directors|periodical=The Directory of Directors|date=1938|volume=59|page=399}}</ref> It became a public company in 1936. At the first [[annual general meeting|AGM]], the company was described as "commenced from nothing only four years ago".<ref name=CS285552927>{{cite news |title=Wright's Biscuits; Prospectus Estimates Exceeded |date=31 August 1937 |page=17 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref> During this period Wright's installed modern ovens and equipment to produce biscuits on an industrial scale.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=Far East Trade and Engineering|date=1949|volume=4|page=637}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Patents for inventions 660001 - 6800000|page=163-165}}</ref>
After a fire in 1898, completely new buildings were created at Tyne Dock. In 1933, Willie Webster became a director of the company with Frederick Cross, and the business name changed from L Wright & Son to Wright's Biscuits Ltd.<ref name=chronicle2015>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/wrights-biscuits-factory-dozen-delicious-8805378|title=Wright's Biscuits factory in a dozen delicious archive photos from South Shields|newspaper=Chronicle Live|date=10 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Liimm9nkRgC&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22|title=The Directory of Directors|periodical=The Directory of Directors|date=1938|volume=59|page=399}}</ref> It became a public company in 1936. At the first [[annual general meeting|AGM]], the company was described as "commenced from nothing only four years ago".<ref name=CS285552927>{{cite news |title=Wright's Biscuits; Prospectus Estimates Exceeded |date=31 August 1937 |page=17 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref> During this period Wright's installed modern ovens and equipment to produce biscuits on an industrial scale.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=Far East Trade and Engineering|date=1949|volume=4|page=637}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Patents for inventions 660001 - 6800000|pages=163–165}}</ref>


The Second World War saw day and night production for the Army. Around 300 employees, mostly women, worked shifts around the clock.<ref name=SSG>{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Bell|url=http://www.shieldsgazette.com/community/cookson-country/ships_biscuits_were_a_bit_of_all_wright_1_2985936 |title=Ships' biscuits were a bit of all Wright – Cookson Country |work=Shields Gazette|access-date=2011-07-07}}</ref> After the war, in 1946, Wright's purchased the Golden Crunch Biscuit Company and Medibix from the [[Edinburgh]]-based R. Middlemas & Son, in which Wright's purchased a large shareholding three years later in 1949.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtxnIMdV_zgC&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+Middlemass|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1949|page=106}}</ref>
The Second World War saw day and night production for the Army. Around 300 employees, mostly women, worked shifts around the clock.<ref name=SSG>{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Bell|url=http://www.shieldsgazette.com/community/cookson-country/ships_biscuits_were_a_bit_of_all_wright_1_2985936 |title=Ships' biscuits were a bit of all Wright – Cookson Country |work=Shields Gazette|access-date=2011-07-07}}</ref> After the war, in 1946, Wright's purchased the Golden Crunch Biscuit Company and Medibix from the [[Edinburgh]]-based R. Middlemas & Son, in which Wright's purchased a large shareholding three years later in 1949.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtxnIMdV_zgC&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+Middlemass|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1949|page=106}}</ref>


In 1958, Wright's raised more capital by issuing new [[preference share]]s and purchased the 180 grocery store chain of [[James Duckworth (businessman, born 1840)#James Duckworth, the grocers|James Duckworth]].<ref>{{cite periodical|title=New Preference Shares Issued|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1958|volume=199|page=826}}</ref> James Duckworth had opened it's first store in 1868, and had a warehouse and offices in Oldham.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/fashion-news/retail-giant-who-grew-from-a-pound-1052528|title=Retail giant who grew from a pound of tea|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=13 August 2007}}</ref> This was followed up in 1959 by purchasing the Portsmouth-based chain of 49 grocery stores of W Pink & Sons.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Excellent Year for Wright's Biscuits|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1959|volume=206|page=132}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F188956&ved=2ahUKEwjIx8Lc486EAxUcZ0EAHWsdDQMQFnoECDkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ck3zBiRx9cRvwJlHWPNvc|title=W Pink & Sons Ltd, grocers - National Archive Discovery|website=National Archives|access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref> Pinks were one of the claimants to the origins of [[HP Sauce]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HY9qTwXDhlsC&dq=%22W+Pink+%26+Sons%22&pg=PA127|title=HP Sauce My Ancestors' Legacy|author=Nigel Britton|date=July 2013 |page=127|publisher=AuthorHouse |isbn=978-1-4817-9704-7 }}</ref>
In 1958, Wright's raised more capital by issuing new [[preference share]]s and purchased the 180 grocery store chain of [[James Duckworth (businessman, born 1840)#James Duckworth, the grocers|James Duckworth]].<ref>{{cite periodical|title=New Preference Shares Issued|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1958|volume=199|page=826}}</ref> James Duckworth had opened its first store in 1868, and had a warehouse and offices in Oldham.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/fashion-news/retail-giant-who-grew-from-a-pound-1052528|title=Retail giant who grew from a pound of tea|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=13 August 2007}}</ref> This was followed up in 1959 by purchasing the Portsmouth-based chain of 49 grocery stores of W Pink & Sons.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Excellent Year for Wright's Biscuits|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1959|volume=206|page=132}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F188956&ved=2ahUKEwjIx8Lc486EAxUcZ0EAHWsdDQMQFnoECDkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ck3zBiRx9cRvwJlHWPNvc|title=W Pink & Sons Ltd, grocers - National Archive Discovery|website=National Archives|access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref> Pinks were one of the claimants to the origins of [[HP Sauce]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HY9qTwXDhlsC&dq=%22W+Pink+%26+Sons%22&pg=PA127|title=HP Sauce My Ancestors' Legacy|author=Nigel Britton|date=July 2013 |page=127|publisher=AuthorHouse |isbn=978-1-4817-9704-7 }}</ref>


In 1960, Wrights purchased the remaining shares in R. Middlemass & Co, while growing the retail business with the purchases of the Leeds-based grocery chain Gallon, which had 184 branches, and Thomas & Evans, the 88-store South Wales based grocery business of the [[Beecham Group]],<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YNuPWUAKoQ0C&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+Middlemass|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=The Statist|date=1960|volume=170|page=398}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits' Retail Interests|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1960|volume=210|page=60}}</ref> while a year later they purchased the Leeds-based grocery business of S. Driver and completed a 24 store exchange deal with rival brand Melias, gaining stores in the Hull area for those in North Wales owned by Gallon.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits Profits rise|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1962|volume=214|page=146}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tJHvFtIqQAMC&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+supermarket|title=Gallons & Melias|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1961|page=66}}</ref> During Webster's Christmas address expressed his worries about the state of the grocery trade,
In 1960, Wrights purchased the remaining shares in R. Middlemass & Co, while growing the retail business with the purchases of the Leeds-based grocery chain Gallon, which had 184 branches, and Thomas & Evans, the 88-store South Wales based grocery business of the [[Beecham Group]].<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YNuPWUAKoQ0C&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+Middlemass|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=The Statist|date=1960|volume=170|page=398}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits' Retail Interests|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1960|volume=210|page=60}}</ref> A year later they purchased the Leeds-based grocery business of S. Driver and completed a 24 store exchange deal with rival brand Melias, gaining stores in the Hull area for those in North Wales owned by Gallon.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits Profits rise|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1962|volume=214|page=146}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tJHvFtIqQAMC&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+supermarket|title=Gallons & Melias|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1961|page=66}}</ref> During Webster's Christmas address, he expressed his worries about the state of the grocery trade,


{{Blockquote|The food trade has never been more competitive than it is today. Many goods are sold to the housewife at prices which do not cover handling and distribution costs, and in my opinion profit margins are at a dangerously low level<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tJHvFtIqQAMC&q=%22w.+p.+webster%22+wright%27s+biscuits|title=Wright's Biscuits Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1961|page=714}}</ref>}}
{{Blockquote|The food trade has never been more competitive than it is today. Many goods are sold to the housewife at prices which do not cover handling and distribution costs, and in my opinion profit margins are at a dangerously low level<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tJHvFtIqQAMC&q=%22w.+p.+webster%22+wright%27s+biscuits|title=Wright's Biscuits Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1961|page=714}}</ref>}}


In 1962 [[J. Lyons and Co.|J Lyons]] took control of the Wright's Cakes factory in [[Birkenhead]] with Wright's Biscuits considering national van sales of cakes to no longer be sufficiently profitable.<ref name=CS236020510>{{cite news |title=Wright's Biscuits Deal With J. Lyons |date=30 August 1962 |page=14 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh0nAAAAMAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22|title=Lyons buys Wright's factory|periodical=Food, Processing, Packaging, Marketing|date=1962|volume=31|page=395}}</ref> In the same year Wright's Biscuits bought Kemp Biscuits from Scribbans-Kemp, while adding the grocery business of W Morton & Sons.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=flkjAQAAIAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+Middlemass|title=Wright's Biscuits Ltd|periodical=Who Owns Who|date=1972|page=619}}</ref> Kemps, who factory was based at Great Coates, had previously been looked at by both Cavenham Foods and Lyons.<ref name=CS319514995>{{cite news |title=Biscuit Firm's Turnover Up; Big Improvement By Subsidiary |date=19 November 1965 |page=19 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits Record Year|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1962|volume=218|page=145}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=|title=A Fell Fine Baker. The Story of United Biscuits : a Jubilee Account of the Men and the Companies who Pioneered One of Britain's Most Celebrated Industries|author=James S. Adam|date=1974|isbn=9780091264406|page=114|publisher=Privately published by Hutchinson }}</ref> In 1963 the company announced record year in both turnover and profits.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits. Plain or Sweet?|newspaper=The Economist|date=1963|volume=209|page=177}}</ref> By 1965, Wright's grocery business had over 750 branches, which 140 had been converted to self-service and 11 supermarkets.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgatRm3OIqgC&q=%22moores+stores%22+supermarket|title=Investors' Reference Guide to Leading British Industrial Companies|publisher=A. Thomas|date=1965|page=298}}</ref> However by 1966, the growth of Wright's Biscuits and it's sister firm Moores was hampered due to the losses incurred at Kemp Biscuits Ltd.<ref name=CS285436720>{{cite news |title=Wright's biscuits growth checked by Kemp losses |date=16 September 1966 |page=17 |newspaper= The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wright's Biscuit shares should be worth watching over the next two weeks or so|newspaper=The Guardian|date=29 March 1965}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Wright's Biscuits|journal=The Statist|date=1966|volume=190|page=1126}}</ref> In 1969, Webster set up the William Webster Welfare Fund, ''for the relief of poor incapacitated or necessitous employees or former employees of Wright's Biscuits Limited''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/259610/governing-document|title=The William Webster Welfare Fund|website=Charity Commission For England And Wales|access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref> Wright's financial performance struggled in 1969, with the company planning to close more of its loss making stores and replace them with supermarkets as part of its turn around plan. As part of its plan, the company sold the former Middlemass factory in Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9z8cAQAAMAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+supermarket|title=Wright's Biscuits Crumble|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Stock Exchange Gazette|date=1970|volume=14|page=47}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ztYgAQAAMAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+new+stores|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Stock Exchange Gazette|date=1970|volume=14|page=450}}</ref> The turn around plan included opening supermarkets under the company's various brands including Peglers Stores and James Duckworth.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l5RHAQAAIAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+supermarket|title=High Road Kilburn Transactions|periodical=The Estate Gazette|date=1969|volume=212|page=109}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k5RHAQAAIAAJ&q=%22james+duckworth%22+supermarket|title=New Service Parade Feniscowles nr Blackburn|periodical=The Estates Gazette|date=1968|volume=206|page=551}}</ref>
In 1962 [[J. Lyons and Co.|J Lyons]] took control of the Wright's Cakes factory in [[Birkenhead]] with Wright's Biscuits considering national van sales of cakes to no longer be sufficiently profitable.<ref name=CS236020510>{{cite news |title=Wright's Biscuits Deal With J. Lyons |date=30 August 1962 |page=14 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh0nAAAAMAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22|title=Lyons buys Wright's factory|periodical=Food, Processing, Packaging, Marketing|date=1962|volume=31|page=395}}</ref> In the same year Wright's Biscuits bought Kemp Biscuits from Scribbans-Kemp, while adding the grocery business of W Morton & Sons.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=flkjAQAAIAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+Middlemass|title=Wright's Biscuits Ltd|periodical=Who Owns Who|date=1972|page=619}}</ref> Kemps, who factory was based at [[Great Coates]], had previously been looked at by both Cavenham Foods and Lyons.<ref name=CS319514995>{{cite news |title=Biscuit Firm's Turnover Up; Big Improvement By Subsidiary |date=19 November 1965 |page=19 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits Record Year|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1962|volume=218|page=145}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=|title=A Fell Fine Baker. The Story of United Biscuits : a Jubilee Account of the Men and the Companies who Pioneered One of Britain's Most Celebrated Industries|author=James S. Adam|date=1974|isbn=9780091264406|page=114|publisher=Privately published by Hutchinson }}</ref> In 1963 the company announced record year in both turnover and profits.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Wright's Biscuits. Plain or Sweet?|newspaper=The Economist|date=1963|volume=209|page=177}}</ref> By 1965, Wright's grocery business had over 750 branches, which 140 had been converted to self-service and 11 supermarkets.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgatRm3OIqgC&q=%22moores+stores%22+supermarket|title=Investors' Reference Guide to Leading British Industrial Companies|publisher=A. Thomas|date=1965|page=298}}</ref> However by 1966, the growth of Wright's Biscuits and its sister firm Moores was hampered due to the losses incurred at Kemp Biscuits Ltd.<ref name=CS285436720>{{cite news |title=Wright's biscuits growth checked by Kemp losses |date=16 September 1966 |page=17 |newspaper= The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wright's Biscuit shares should be worth watching over the next two weeks or so|newspaper=The Guardian|date=29 March 1965}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Wright's Biscuits|journal=The Statist|date=1966|volume=190|page=1126}}</ref> In 1969, Webster set up the William Webster Welfare Fund, ''for the relief of poor incapacitated or necessitous employees or former employees of Wright's Biscuits Limited''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/259610/governing-document|title=The William Webster Welfare Fund|website=Charity Commission For England And Wales|access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref> Wright's financial performance struggled in 1969, with the company planning to close more of its loss making stores and replace them with supermarkets as part of its turn around plan. As part of its plan, the company sold the former Middlemass factory in Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9z8cAQAAMAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+supermarket|title=Wright's Biscuits Crumble|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Stock Exchange Gazette|date=1970|volume=14|page=47}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ztYgAQAAMAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+new+stores|title=Wright's Biscuits|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Stock Exchange Gazette|date=1970|volume=14|page=450}}</ref> The turn around plan included opening supermarkets under the company's various brands including Peglers Stores and James Duckworth.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l5RHAQAAIAAJ&q=%22wright%27s+biscuits%22+supermarket|title=High Road Kilburn Transactions|periodical=The Estate Gazette|date=1969|volume=212|page=109}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k5RHAQAAIAAJ&q=%22james+duckworth%22+supermarket|title=New Service Parade Feniscowles nr Blackburn|periodical=The Estates Gazette|date=1968|volume=206|page=551}}</ref>


On 22 September 1971, it was announced that [[Cavenham Foods]] had purchased Willie Webster and his wife's 41% shareholding in Wright's Biscuits, which owned a 42% shareholding in '''Moores Stores'''. This, together with the Wright's own personal shares in Moores gave Cavenham 47% of the stock. Wright's and Webster's shares in Moores were "A" shares which had double voting power.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0j8cAQAAMAAJ&q=%22william+webster%22+%22moores+stores%22|title=Cavenham Foods|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Stock Exchange Gazette|volume=17|date=1971|page=1242}}</ref> The price of 36p a share valued the shareholdings at £6.5 million, which was less than the market value; however Wright's and Moores had both struggled. Wright's Biscuits had predicted losses of £500,000, while Moores Stores had seen profits tumble from over £1 million to £560,000 since 1968. Three of Wright's independent directors stated that the company lacked the financial resources to make it viable economically again, while Cavenham believed it would cost £2 million to reorganise Wright's and Moores.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7z8cAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+reorganisation|title=Cavenham Foods|periodical=Investors Chronicle|date=1971|volume=17-18|page=1129}}</ref> Goldsmith offered 45p a share to the rest of the remaining stock owners in both companies, however this was below the market price of 82p. Moores Stoores operated around 685 grocery stores under both their own name and those of subsidiaries like ''Hay & Co'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Big-league bid by Cavenham|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=22 September 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Goldsmith is Unstoppable|magazine=Food & Drink Weekly|date=1 October 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Who will laugh kast?|magazine=Investors Guardian|date=1 October 1971}}</ref> while in addition to its biscuit manufacturing, Wright's operated a further 488 grocery stores under brands like ''Gowers & Burgon'' in [[Sheffield]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Big-league bid by Cavenham|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=22 September 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Goldsmith is Unstoppable|magazine=Food & Drink Weekly|date=1 October 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Who will laugh kast?|magazine=Investors Guardian|date=1 October 1971}}</ref> However Cavenham's bid was met with hostility from shareholders, led by Liverpool accountant John C. Malthouse, as the company's assests were worth at least 110p a share compared to Cavenham's 45p offer.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavenham offer for Wright's Biscuits Opposed|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=2 October 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rebels rally to fight Cavenham's twin takeover bid|newspaper=Evening Standard|date=7 October 1971}}</ref> By November Wright's had announced losses of £1.23 million, far greater than previously predicted, but Cavenham did not withdraw its interest{{clarify|date=February 2024}}, and in December they formally released{{clarify|date=February 2024}} their offer to the shareholders, offering ordinary shares in Cavenham.<ref>{{cite news|title=Big loss but Cavenham's bid stays firm|newspaper=Nottingham Guardian|date=17 November 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cavenham in mystery 12.5m deal|newspaper=The Times|date=22 December 1971}}</ref> Cavenham completed the purchase of the remaining shares against hostile shareholders at a total cost of £10 million in shares.<ref name=bill228>{{cite book|title=Billionaire. The Life & Times of Sir James Goldsmith|author=Fallon. I|page=228|isbn=0-09-174380-X|date=1991|publisher=Hutchinson }}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5DUUAQAAMAAJ&q=wright%27s+biscuit+Cavenham|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=Retail Trade Developments in Great Britain, 1976-1977|isbn=9780716103066|date=1976|page=222}}</ref>
On 22 September 1971, it was announced that [[Cavenham Foods]] had purchased Willie Webster and his wife's 41% shareholding in Wright's Biscuits, which owned a 42% shareholding in '''Moores Stores'''. This, together with the Wright's own personal shares in Moores gave Cavenham 47% of the stock. Wright's and Webster's shares in Moores were "A" shares which had double voting power.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0j8cAQAAMAAJ&q=%22william+webster%22+%22moores+stores%22|title=Cavenham Foods|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Stock Exchange Gazette|volume=17|date=1971|page=1242}}</ref> The price of 36p a share valued the shareholdings at £6.5 million, which was less than the market value; however Wright's and Moores had both struggled. Wright's Biscuits had predicted losses of £500,000, while Moores Stores had seen profits tumble from over £1 million to £560,000 since 1968. Three of Wright's independent directors stated that the company lacked the financial resources to make it viable economically again, while Cavenham believed it would cost £2 million to reorganise Wright's and Moores.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7z8cAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+reorganisation|title=Cavenham Foods|periodical=Investors Chronicle|date=1971|volume=17-18|page=1129}}</ref> Goldsmith offered 45p a share to the rest of the remaining stock owners in both companies, however this was below the market price of 82p. Moores Stoores operated around 685 grocery stores under both their own name and those of subsidiaries like ''Hay & Co'',<ref name="Big-league bid by Cavenham">{{cite news|title=Big-league bid by Cavenham|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=22 September 1971}}</ref><ref name="Goldsmith is Unstoppable">{{cite magazine|title=Goldsmith is Unstoppable|magazine=Food & Drink Weekly|date=1 October 1971}}</ref><ref name="Who will laugh kast">{{cite magazine|title=Who will laugh kast?|magazine=Investors Guardian|date=1 October 1971}}</ref> while in addition to its biscuit manufacturing, Wright's operated a further 488 grocery stores under brands like ''Gowers & Burgon'' in [[Sheffield]].<ref name="Big-league bid by Cavenham"/><ref name="Goldsmith is Unstoppable"/><ref name="Who will laugh kast"/> However Cavenham's bid was met with hostility from shareholders, led by Liverpool accountant John C. Malthouse, as the company's assests were worth at least 110p a share compared to Cavenham's 45p offer.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavenham offer for Wright's Biscuits Opposed|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=2 October 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rebels rally to fight Cavenham's twin takeover bid|newspaper=Evening Standard|date=7 October 1971}}</ref> By November Wright's had announced losses of £1.23 million, far greater than previously predicted, but Cavenham did not withdraw its interest{{clarify|date=February 2024}}, and in December they formally released{{clarify|date=February 2024}} their offer to the shareholders, offering ordinary shares in Cavenham.<ref>{{cite news|title=Big loss but Cavenham's bid stays firm|newspaper=Nottingham Guardian|date=17 November 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cavenham in mystery 12.5m deal|newspaper=The Times|date=22 December 1971}}</ref> Cavenham completed the purchase of the remaining shares against hostile shareholders at a total cost of £10 million in shares.<ref name=bill228>{{cite book|title=Billionaire. The Life & Times of Sir James Goldsmith|author=Fallon. I|page=228|isbn=0-09-174380-X|date=1991|publisher=Hutchinson }}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5DUUAQAAMAAJ&q=wright%27s+biscuit+Cavenham|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=Retail Trade Developments in Great Britain, 1976-1977|isbn=9780716103066|date=1976|page=222}}</ref>


In 1972, [[United Biscuits]] took over Wright's Biscuits, it's subsidiary Kemp Biscuits, along with fellow biscuit manufacturer [[Carr's|Carr's of Carlisle]] from the Cavenham Foods, who retained the grocery business.<ref name=CS319387278>{{cite news |title=Mr Goldsmith takes Paris by storm; Mr Jimmy Goldsmith's Cavenham group is buying its way into a major French combine. Maurice Corina, Industrial Editor, describes a meteoric career |date=14 April 1972 |page=19 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref name=Massey1982>{{citation | last1=Massey | first1=Doreen B. | year=1982 | title=The anatomy of job loss: the how, why, and where of employment decline | last2=Meegan | first2=Richard A. | publisher=Taylor & Francis | isbn=978-0-416-32360-3 | page=80 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V9AOAAAAQAAJ}}</ref> In October 1972, Wright's Biscuits was put into administration with the South Shields factory finally closing in 1973. The former Kemp Biscuits factory at Great Coates was retained by United Biscuits, finally closing in 1995.<ref name=CS352810833>{{cite news |title=Wright's Biscuits Limited |date=17 October 1972 |page=21 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/united-biscuits-blames-lost-jobs-on-snacks-war-1567708.html|title=United Biscuits blames lost jobs on snacks war|date=12 January 1995|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|access-date=24 August 2014}}</ref>
In 1972, [[United Biscuits]] took over Wright's Biscuits, its subsidiary Kemp Biscuits, along with fellow biscuit manufacturer [[Carr's|Carr's of Carlisle]] from the Cavenham Foods, who retained the grocery business.<ref name=CS319387278>{{cite news |title=Mr Goldsmith takes Paris by storm; Mr Jimmy Goldsmith's Cavenham group is buying its way into a major French combine. Maurice Corina, Industrial Editor, describes a meteoric career |date=14 April 1972 |page=19 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref name=Massey1982>{{citation | last1=Massey | first1=Doreen B. | year=1982 | title=The anatomy of job loss: the how, why, and where of employment decline | last2=Meegan | first2=Richard A. | publisher=Taylor & Francis | isbn=978-0-416-32360-3 | page=80 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V9AOAAAAQAAJ}}</ref> In October 1972, Wright's Biscuits was put into administration with the South Shields factory finally closing in 1973. The former Kemp Biscuits factory at Great Coates was retained by United Biscuits, finally closing in 1995.<ref name=CS352810833>{{cite news |title=Wright's Biscuits Limited |date=17 October 1972 |page=21 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/united-biscuits-blames-lost-jobs-on-snacks-war-1567708.html|title=United Biscuits blames lost jobs on snacks war|date=12 January 1995|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|access-date=24 August 2014}}</ref>


==Mabel Lucie Attwell Wright's Biscuits branding==
==Mabel Lucie Attwell Wright's Biscuits branding==
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Moores Stores was started as a single grocery store by William Moore in 1907.<ref name=study>{{cite book|url=http://aei.pitt.edu/33343/1/A69.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwju_8KOtMaEAxVtVkEAHa3BDIEQFnoECCQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1DtSupKsdJhlTxMW4KesxM|title=A study of the evolution of concentration in the food distribution industry for the United Kingdom|author=Commission for the European Communities|date=1977}}</ref> In 1935, the company was made public and had grown to 114 stores based in the North East. The company continued to grow before and after the war by purchasing smaller grocery business so by the early 1950s it had grown to nearly 600 shops trading under their original names, including Frank Farrands, Binyons, John Kay (Kays Modern Food Stores) and T . Seymour Mead to name a few.<ref name=study/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://buildingourpast.com/2022/04/20/kays-modern-food-stores/|title=Kays Modern Food Stores|website=Building Our Past|date=20 April 2022 |access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> It was at the time the third largest grocery company behind [[Home and Colonial]] and [[International Tea Co. Stores]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oDpBv9A9y7IC&dq=%22moores+stores%22&pg=PA140|title=Retail Trading in Britain 1850-1950|author=James B. Jefferys|isbn=9781107602731|date=2011|page=140|publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref> It was during the 1950s that Wright's Biscuits bought their shareholding in the business, with William Webster becoming Moores chairman. In 1958, the total net assets of Wright's Biscuits were about the same as Moores Stores at around £2.5 million.<ref name=study/>
Moores Stores was started as a single grocery store by William Moore in 1907.<ref name=study>{{cite book|url=http://aei.pitt.edu/33343/1/A69.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwju_8KOtMaEAxVtVkEAHa3BDIEQFnoECCQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1DtSupKsdJhlTxMW4KesxM|title=A study of the evolution of concentration in the food distribution industry for the United Kingdom|author=Commission for the European Communities|date=1977}}</ref> In 1935, the company was made public and had grown to 114 stores based in the North East. The company continued to grow before and after the war by purchasing smaller grocery business so by the early 1950s it had grown to nearly 600 shops trading under their original names, including Frank Farrands, Binyons, John Kay (Kays Modern Food Stores) and T . Seymour Mead to name a few.<ref name=study/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://buildingourpast.com/2022/04/20/kays-modern-food-stores/|title=Kays Modern Food Stores|website=Building Our Past|date=20 April 2022 |access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> It was at the time the third largest grocery company behind [[Home and Colonial]] and [[International Tea Co. Stores]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oDpBv9A9y7IC&dq=%22moores+stores%22&pg=PA140|title=Retail Trading in Britain 1850-1950|author=James B. Jefferys|isbn=9781107602731|date=2011|page=140|publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref> It was during the 1950s that Wright's Biscuits bought their shareholding in the business, with William Webster becoming Moores chairman. In 1958, the total net assets of Wright's Biscuits were about the same as Moores Stores at around £2.5 million.<ref name=study/>


The 24 Tyneside grocery business of Hanlons was added in 1960, along with the 87 strong Nottingham chain of J D Marsden.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Moores Stores Record Sales & Profits|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1960|volume=208|page=480}}</ref> In 1961, Moores added the East of Scotland grocery business of James Walker & Sons, with their further 14 stores added to their 18 Hay & Co stores based in Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tJHvFtIqQAMC&q=%22moores+stores%22+hay+%26+co|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1961|page=178}}</ref> The company continued to expand during 1962, purchasing the 45 store Southend on Sea based grocery chain of H. Garon (founded in 1880), and the 175 store Yorkshire chain of Thrift Stores, while they purchased 102 stores of Mence Smith, the ironmongers, from owner [[Timothy Whites]].<ref name=statist181>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Li-z1EOr57MC&q=%22moores+stores%22+garons|title=Moores Stores Ltd|journal=The Statist|volume=181|date=1963|page=137}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/result_details.aspx?DocID=196094|title=RECORDS OF A SOLICITORS' PRACTICE RELATING TO SOUTH-EAST ESSEX|website=Essex Record Office}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GtI-JPkMcxwC&q=%22moores%22+garons+%22southend%22|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1962|page=436}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=G3M1AQAAIAAJ&q=%22garon%22+supermarket&dq=%22garon%22+supermarket&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiI3rOQmtGEAxWbm_0HHdgICZkQ6AF6BAgOEAM#%22garon%22%20supermarket|title=Supermarket, Southend on Sea|periodical=Light and Lighting and Environmental Design|date=1965|volume=58|page=140}}</ref> Of the 102 Mence Smith stores purchased only 36 were converted to grocery stores, with the rest leased or sold off to generate funds, while H. Garon's bakery and two of its buildings were sold to raise £791,000. The company had nearly 1,000 branches at this time, however only 125 were self service and five of these were supermarkets at this time.<ref name=statist181/><ref name=economist209>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i9iDIYFt8SoC&q=%22moores+stores%22+supermarkets|title=Wright's Biscuits|newspaper=The Economist|date=1963|volume=209|page=177}}</ref> William Webster told the annual AGM that he was ''"bitterly against the high costs of acquiring supermarket sites"'' and that ''"supermarket enthusiasts are in danger of over-reaching themselves"''. He stated that between Wright's and Moores they would be planning no more than 30 big supermarkets.<ref name=economist209/><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Supermarkets:Moores|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1963|volume=219|page=188}}</ref>
The 24 Tyneside grocery business of Hanlons was added in 1960, along with the 87 strong Nottingham chain of J D Marsden.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Moores Stores Record Sales & Profits|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1960|volume=208|page=480}}</ref> In 1961, Moores added the East of Scotland grocery business of James Walker & Sons, with their further 14 stores added to their 18 Hay & Co stores based in Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tJHvFtIqQAMC&q=%22moores+stores%22+hay+%26+co|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1961|page=178}}</ref> The company continued to expand during 1962, purchasing the 45 store Southend on Sea based grocery chain of H. Garon (founded in 1880), and the 175 store Yorkshire chain of Thrift Stores, while they purchased 102 stores of Mence Smith, the ironmongers, from owner [[Timothy Whites]].<ref name=statist181>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Li-z1EOr57MC&q=%22moores+stores%22+garons|title=Moores Stores Ltd|journal=The Statist|volume=181|date=1963|page=137}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/result_details.aspx?DocID=196094|title=RECORDS OF A SOLICITORS' PRACTICE RELATING TO SOUTH-EAST ESSEX|website=Essex Record Office}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GtI-JPkMcxwC&q=%22moores%22+garons+%22southend%22|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1962|page=436}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G3M1AQAAIAAJ&q=%22garon%22+supermarket|title=Supermarket, Southend on Sea|periodical=Light and Lighting and Environmental Design|date=1965|volume=58|page=140}}</ref> Of the 102 Mence Smith stores purchased only 36 were converted to grocery stores, with the rest leased or sold off to generate funds, while H. Garon's bakery and two of its buildings were sold to raise £791,000. The company had nearly 1,000 branches at this time, however only 125 were self service and five of these were supermarkets at this time.<ref name=statist181/><ref name=economist209>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i9iDIYFt8SoC&q=%22moores+stores%22+supermarkets|title=Wright's Biscuits|newspaper=The Economist|date=1963|volume=209|page=177}}</ref> William Webster told the annual AGM that he was ''"bitterly against the high costs of acquiring supermarket sites"'' and that ''"supermarket enthusiasts are in danger of over-reaching themselves"''. He stated that between Wright's and Moores they would be planning no more than 30 big supermarkets.<ref name=economist209/><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Supermarkets:Moores|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1963|volume=219|page=188}}</ref>


During 1963 it was announced that Moores subsidiary H. Garon, along with [[Debenhams]] and British Rail had agreed to develop a site in the High Street, Southend, for a department store, a supermarket, two other stores and an office block.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NNfbcgQTup0C&q=%22plummer+roddis%22+%22Southend-on-Sea%22|title=Provinces|periodical=Leathergoods|volume=102|date=1967|page=53}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AtLAQAAIAAJ&q=%22plummers%22+%22southend%22|title=Southend-on-Sea, 70 High Street|periodical=The Estates Gazette|volume=219|date=1971|page=756}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKrau13idtcC&q=%22garons%22+supermarket+%22southend%22|title=Southend development|periodical=Municipal Engineering, Cleansing and Public Health|volume=140|date=1963|page=45|publisher=Municipal Engineering Publications}}</ref> The company grew by purchasing further grocery stores, including chains John Favers and A.E. Smith from Scribbans-Kemp, the 13 branches of George Barr and Bells (Cash Grocers).<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CwgAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+scribbans-kemp|title=Moores - Scribbans-Kemp|periodical=The Statist|date=1963|volume=182|page=73}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0TlxjEM-frAC&q=%22moores+stores%22+george+barr|title=Moores Stores|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1963|volume=222|page=59}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ArG9yQDMWkC&q=%22moores+stores%22+Bells+(Cash+Grocers)|title=Moores Stores|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1963|volume=221|page=178}}</ref> In 1966, Webster stated
During 1963 it was announced that Moores subsidiary H. Garon, along with [[Debenhams]] and British Rail had agreed to develop a site in the High Street, Southend, for a department store, a supermarket, two other stores and an office block.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NNfbcgQTup0C&q=%22plummer+roddis%22+%22Southend-on-Sea%22|title=Provinces|periodical=Leathergoods|volume=102|date=1967|page=53}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AtLAQAAIAAJ&q=%22plummers%22+%22southend%22|title=Southend-on-Sea, 70 High Street|periodical=The Estates Gazette|volume=219|date=1971|page=756}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKrau13idtcC&q=%22garons%22+supermarket+%22southend%22|title=Southend development|periodical=Municipal Engineering, Cleansing and Public Health|volume=140|date=1963|page=45|publisher=Municipal Engineering Publications}}</ref> The company grew by purchasing further grocery stores, including chains John Favers and A.E. Smith from Scribbans-Kemp, the 13 branches of George Barr and Bells (Cash Grocers).<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CwgAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+scribbans-kemp|title=Moores - Scribbans-Kemp|periodical=The Statist|date=1963|volume=182|page=73}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0TlxjEM-frAC&q=%22moores+stores%22+george+barr|title=Moores Stores|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1963|volume=222|page=59}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ArG9yQDMWkC&q=%22moores+stores%22+Bells+(Cash+Grocers)|title=Moores Stores|periodical=Investors Chronicle and Money Market Review|date=1963|volume=221|page=178}}</ref> In 1966, Webster stated
{{blockquote|Modernisation of warehouses and distribution centres has proceeded steadily over the past two years, while it is planned to speed up expansion into supermarkets and larger self-service stores, a considerable number will open in the later half of 1967 or early 1968. The closure of small counter service branches and the conversion of others to self-service will continue. In the year end April 1 1967, 129 branches were closed and 44 converted. At the year end, the group had 663 counter shops and 337 self-service or supermarkets.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pKVis8YUeR0C&q=%22moores+stores%22+opening|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1967|page=260}}</ref>}}
{{blockquote|Modernisation of warehouses and distribution centres has proceeded steadily over the past two years, while it is planned to speed up expansion into supermarkets and larger self-service stores, a considerable number will open in the later half of 1967 or early 1968. The closure of small counter service branches and the conversion of others to self-service will continue. In the year end April 1, 1967, 129 branches were closed and 44 converted. At the year end, the group had 663 counter shops and 337 self-service or supermarkets.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pKVis8YUeR0C&q=%22moores+stores%22+opening|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1967|page=260}}</ref>}}


These included new supermarkets opening in [[Ripley, North Yorkshire|Ripley]] and [[Whitley Bay]] and the purchase of the 21 store south east based grocery chain of [[Cave Austin and Company]] from Burton, Son and Sanders of Ipswich.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gb0iAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+1968|title=Developments|periodical=The Ectricsl Review|volume=183|date=1968|page=54}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll?logon&application=UNION_VIEW&language=144&file=|title=''LMA/4758/B/01/009'': 'Moores buys Cave, Austin' Cutting from 'The Grocer'|date=January 1966|website=London Metropolitan Archives}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll?logon&application=UNION_VIEW&language=144&file=|title=''LMA/4758/B/01/010'': 'Cave Austin sold to Moores Stores' Cutting from 'The Grocers Gazette'|date=January 1966|website=London Metropolitan Archives}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6dwDCfphflAC&q=%22moores+stores%22+cave+Austin|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1966|page=84}}</ref> In 1968, Moores Stores were listed at number 402 in [[The Times]] 500
These included new supermarkets opening in [[Ripley, North Yorkshire|Ripley]] and [[Whitley Bay]] and the purchase of the 21 store south east based grocery chain of [[Cave Austin and Company]] from Burton, Son and Sanders of Ipswich.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gb0iAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+1968|title=Developments|periodical=The Ectricsl Review|volume=183|date=1968|page=54}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll?logon&application=UNION_VIEW&language=144&file=|title=''LMA/4758/B/01/009'': 'Moores buys Cave, Austin' Cutting from 'The Grocer'|date=January 1966|website=London Metropolitan Archives}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll?logon&application=UNION_VIEW&language=144&file=|title=''LMA/4758/B/01/010'': 'Cave Austin sold to Moores Stores' Cutting from 'The Grocers Gazette'|date=January 1966|website=London Metropolitan Archives}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6dwDCfphflAC&q=%22moores+stores%22+cave+Austin|title=Moores Stores Ltd|periodical=The New Dawn|date=1966|page=84}}</ref> In 1968, Moores Stores were listed at number 402 in [[The Times]] 500
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The stores of Wright's and Moores Stores were sold to a new company, ''Cavenham-Southland'' shortly after the takeover. It was part of the Southland Corporation (owners of [[7-Eleven]]) deal previously brokered by John Tigrett for Cavenham's newsagent business, with Southland owning 49.9% and Cavenham owning the remaining 50.1%.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2UUKAQAAMAAJ&q=%22cavenham+southland%22|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=The S & P Fixed Income Investor|volume=5|issue=1–25|date=1977|page=896}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0QhJ1yCHq5UC&q=%22cavenham+southland%22|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=Jane's Major Companies of Europe|author=Lionel Faraday Gray|date=1975|page=B-124|isbn=9780354005142 }}</ref> As part of the deal Southland paid $10.35 million.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Southland Corporation|periodical=Moody's OTC Industrial Manual|date=1985|publisher=Mergent FIS|page=3047}}</ref> Cavenham appointed their retail chief, Jim Wood to the board, who had turned around their newsagent chain. He stayed with the company until he joined the [[Grand Union (supermarket)|Grand Union]] supermarket chain in the United States after Cavenham's purchase in 1974.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/05/25/He-wants-his-customers-to-look-as-good-as-the-produceNEWLNBusiness-Profile-James-Wood-The-affable-Englishman-who-runs-AP-Not-content-with-saving-the-chain-from-financial-ruin/4568517377600/|title=He wants his customers to look as good as the produce;NEWLN:Business Profile: James Wood The affable Englishman who runs A&P Not content with saving the chain from financial ruin|newspaper=UPI|date=25 May 1986}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/23/business/supermarket-savior-james-wood-bringing-a-p-back-from-the-brink.html|title=SUPERMARKET SAVIOR: JAMES WOOD; BRINGING A.&P. BACK FROM THE BRINK|newspaper=The New York Times|date=23 June 1985}}</ref> The new company continued the programme of reorganisation started prior to the takeover, closing and selling off stores and distribution centres.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YANLAQAAIAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+1969|title=Cricklewood Warehouse Lease Agreed|periodical=The Estates Gazette|date=1972|volume=223|page=1374}}</ref> Moores' Scottish stores, which operated under the Hay & Co brand were transferred to Allied Suppliers by Cavenham, after that company's purchase in 1972, to add to their existing Scottish portfolio of stores.<ref>{{cite book|url=|title=Scotland: the New Future|author=George Thursby Murray|date=1973|publisher=Scottish Television; Blackie|page=184}}</ref> By 1973, the company had 729 stores against a total of 1,173 it had at the time of the takeover, and the combined Wright's/Moores group of stores had made £2 million in profits. <ref>{{cite book|title=Stock Market Encyclopedia|date=1974|page=1969|publisher=Standard and Poor's Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EzgAsDLhVs8C&q=%22Cavenham%22+moores|title=Cavenham Foods|newspaper=The Economist|date=1973|volume=247|page=98}}</ref> The number of stores had reduced to 624 stores by 1976, with most having been renamed under the Moores Stores brand, except for the larger discount stores which were branded under the Tower name.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5DUUAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+1970|title=Retail Trade Developments in Great Britain, 1976-1977|date=1976|publisher=Gower Press|isbn=9780716103066|page=324-325}}</ref>
The stores of Wright's and Moores Stores were sold to a new company, ''Cavenham-Southland'' shortly after the takeover. It was part of the Southland Corporation (owners of [[7-Eleven]]) deal previously brokered by John Tigrett for Cavenham's newsagent business, with Southland owning 49.9% and Cavenham owning the remaining 50.1%.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2UUKAQAAMAAJ&q=%22cavenham+southland%22|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=The S & P Fixed Income Investor|volume=5|issue=1–25|date=1977|page=896}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0QhJ1yCHq5UC&q=%22cavenham+southland%22|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=Jane's Major Companies of Europe|author=Lionel Faraday Gray|date=1975|page=B-124|isbn=9780354005142 }}</ref> As part of the deal Southland paid $10.35 million.<ref>{{cite periodical|title=Southland Corporation|periodical=Moody's OTC Industrial Manual|date=1985|publisher=Mergent FIS|page=3047}}</ref> Cavenham appointed their retail chief, Jim Wood to the board, who had turned around their newsagent chain. He stayed with the company until he joined the [[Grand Union (supermarket)|Grand Union]] supermarket chain in the United States after Cavenham's purchase in 1974.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/05/25/He-wants-his-customers-to-look-as-good-as-the-produceNEWLNBusiness-Profile-James-Wood-The-affable-Englishman-who-runs-AP-Not-content-with-saving-the-chain-from-financial-ruin/4568517377600/|title=He wants his customers to look as good as the produce;NEWLN:Business Profile: James Wood The affable Englishman who runs A&P Not content with saving the chain from financial ruin|newspaper=UPI|date=25 May 1986}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/23/business/supermarket-savior-james-wood-bringing-a-p-back-from-the-brink.html|title=SUPERMARKET SAVIOR: JAMES WOOD; BRINGING A.&P. BACK FROM THE BRINK|newspaper=The New York Times|date=23 June 1985}}</ref> The new company continued the programme of reorganisation started prior to the takeover, closing and selling off stores and distribution centres.<ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YANLAQAAIAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+1969|title=Cricklewood Warehouse Lease Agreed|periodical=The Estates Gazette|date=1972|volume=223|page=1374}}</ref> Moores' Scottish stores, which operated under the Hay & Co brand were transferred to Allied Suppliers by Cavenham, after that company's purchase in 1972, to add to their existing Scottish portfolio of stores.<ref>{{cite book|url=|title=Scotland: the New Future|author=George Thursby Murray|date=1973|publisher=Scottish Television; Blackie|page=184}}</ref> By 1973, the company had 729 stores against a total of 1,173 it had at the time of the takeover, and the combined Wright's/Moores group of stores had made £2 million in profits.<ref>{{cite book|title=Stock Market Encyclopedia|date=1974|page=1969|publisher=Standard and Poor's Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EzgAsDLhVs8C&q=%22Cavenham%22+moores|title=Cavenham Foods|newspaper=The Economist|date=1973|volume=247|page=98}}</ref> The number of stores had reduced to 624 stores by 1976, with most having been renamed under the Moores Stores brand, except for the larger discount stores which were branded under the Tower name.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5DUUAQAAMAAJ&q=%22moores+stores%22+1970|title=Retail Trade Developments in Great Britain, 1976-1977|date=1976|publisher=Gower Press|isbn=9780716103066|pages=324–325}}</ref>


In December 1976, Cavenham purchased the 49.8% of Cavenham-Southland from the Southland Corporation that it didn't own, and renamed the company Moores-Wright's,<ref>{{cite news|title=Can Jimmy make the big boys bite?|newspaper=Daily Mail|date=18 December 1976}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Southland Corporation|periodical=The S & P Fixed Income Investor|volume=5|issue=1–25|date=1977|page=896}}</ref><ref name=bearman>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iZEKAQAAMAAJ&q=southland-mccolls|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=Beerman's Financial Year Book of Europe|date=1977|page=B-89}}</ref> but it not stay as a separate business for long, as it was merged into Cavenham's other grocery subsidiary Allied Suppliers during 1977.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/stream/NewsUK1977UKEnglish/Jun%2018%201977%2C%20The%20Times%2C%20%2360033%2C%20UK%20%28en%29_djvu.txt|title=UK retailing sector puts on a spurt|newspaper=The Times|date=17 June 1977}}</ref>
In December 1976, Cavenham purchased the 49.8% of Cavenham-Southland from the Southland Corporation that it didn't own, and renamed the company Moores-Wright's,<ref>{{cite news|title=Can Jimmy make the big boys bite?|newspaper=Daily Mail|date=18 December 1976}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical|title=Southland Corporation|periodical=The S & P Fixed Income Investor|volume=5|issue=1–25|date=1977|page=896}}</ref><ref name=bearman>{{cite periodical|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iZEKAQAAMAAJ&q=southland-mccolls|title=Cavenham Ltd|periodical=Beerman's Financial Year Book of Europe|date=1977|page=B-89}}</ref> but it not stay as a separate business for long, as it was merged into Cavenham's other grocery subsidiary Allied Suppliers during 1977.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/stream/NewsUK1977UKEnglish/Jun%2018%201977%2C%20The%20Times%2C%20%2360033%2C%20UK%20%28en%29_djvu.txt|title=UK retailing sector puts on a spurt|newspaper=The Times|date=17 June 1977}}</ref>
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==The South Shields factory re-opening==
==The South Shields factory re-opening==
The factory was reopened in 1975 under the ownership of F.C. Lowe's for the production of dog biscuits. This ran until 1983, when the factory and the chimney, a landmark for the Tyne and Wear Dock area, were demolished.<ref name=SSG/>
The factory was reopened in 1975 under the ownership of F.C. Lowe's for the production of dog biscuits. This stayed open until 1983. After the closure the factory and the chimney, a landmark for the Tyne and Wear Dock area, were demolished.<ref name=SSG/>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 210: Line 210:


*Newcastle University - Wright's Biscuits, South Shields (1790-1973) [https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/wrights-biscuits-south-shields/]
*Newcastle University - Wright's Biscuits, South Shields (1790-1973) [https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/wrights-biscuits-south-shields/]

==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Latest revision as of 20:29, 4 April 2024

Wright's Biscuits
Gegründet1790 (public company in 1936)
Defunct1973
HauptsitzSouth Shields, Tyne and Wear
Area served
Vereinigtes Königreich
Key people
William Webster
James Goldsmith
ParentCavenham Foods 1971-72
United Biscuits 1972-73
DivisionsWright's Biscuits
R. Middlemas & Sons
Golden Crunch
Medibix
Kemp Biscuits
Wright's Cakes
Moores Stores

Wright's Biscuits was established in 1790 as L Wright & Son, in South Shields. In the 1930s they implemented intensive factory methods for production and became a national supplier of biscuits and cakes, and a leading employer in Tyne and Wear. They also ran a large chain of grocery stores under various names, and controlled fellow grocery chain Moores Stores. The business became part of James Goldsmith's Cavenham Foods group in 1971.

History of Wright's Biscuits

[edit]
Production line with women workers at Wright's Biscuits c.1940s
Packing Wright's Biscuits destined for Rangoon and Hamburg c.1940s

Wright's Biscuits was established in 1790 at Holborn in South Shields to produce ship's biscuits.

After a fire in 1898, completely new buildings were created at Tyne Dock. In 1933, Willie Webster became a director of the company with Frederick Cross, and the business name changed from L Wright & Son to Wright's Biscuits Ltd.[1][2] It became a public company in 1936. At the first AGM, the company was described as "commenced from nothing only four years ago".[3] During this period Wright's installed modern ovens and equipment to produce biscuits on an industrial scale.[4][5]

The Second World War saw day and night production for the Army. Around 300 employees, mostly women, worked shifts around the clock.[6] After the war, in 1946, Wright's purchased the Golden Crunch Biscuit Company and Medibix from the Edinburgh-based R. Middlemas & Son, in which Wright's purchased a large shareholding three years later in 1949.[7]

In 1958, Wright's raised more capital by issuing new preference shares and purchased the 180 grocery store chain of James Duckworth.[8] James Duckworth had opened its first store in 1868, and had a warehouse and offices in Oldham.[9] This was followed up in 1959 by purchasing the Portsmouth-based chain of 49 grocery stores of W Pink & Sons.[10][11] Pinks were one of the claimants to the origins of HP Sauce.[12]

In 1960, Wrights purchased the remaining shares in R. Middlemass & Co, while growing the retail business with the purchases of the Leeds-based grocery chain Gallon, which had 184 branches, and Thomas & Evans, the 88-store South Wales based grocery business of the Beecham Group.[13][14] A year later they purchased the Leeds-based grocery business of S. Driver and completed a 24 store exchange deal with rival brand Melias, gaining stores in the Hull area for those in North Wales owned by Gallon.[15][16] During Webster's Christmas address, he expressed his worries about the state of the grocery trade,

The food trade has never been more competitive than it is today. Many goods are sold to the housewife at prices which do not cover handling and distribution costs, and in my opinion profit margins are at a dangerously low level[17]

In 1962 J Lyons took control of the Wright's Cakes factory in Birkenhead with Wright's Biscuits considering national van sales of cakes to no longer be sufficiently profitable.[18][19] In the same year Wright's Biscuits bought Kemp Biscuits from Scribbans-Kemp, while adding the grocery business of W Morton & Sons.[20] Kemps, who factory was based at Great Coates, had previously been looked at by both Cavenham Foods and Lyons.[21][22][23] In 1963 the company announced record year in both turnover and profits.[24] By 1965, Wright's grocery business had over 750 branches, which 140 had been converted to self-service and 11 supermarkets.[25] However by 1966, the growth of Wright's Biscuits and its sister firm Moores was hampered due to the losses incurred at Kemp Biscuits Ltd.[26][27][28] In 1969, Webster set up the William Webster Welfare Fund, for the relief of poor incapacitated or necessitous employees or former employees of Wright's Biscuits Limited.[29] Wright's financial performance struggled in 1969, with the company planning to close more of its loss making stores and replace them with supermarkets as part of its turn around plan. As part of its plan, the company sold the former Middlemass factory in Edinburgh.[30][31] The turn around plan included opening supermarkets under the company's various brands including Peglers Stores and James Duckworth.[32][33]

On 22 September 1971, it was announced that Cavenham Foods had purchased Willie Webster and his wife's 41% shareholding in Wright's Biscuits, which owned a 42% shareholding in Moores Stores. This, together with the Wright's own personal shares in Moores gave Cavenham 47% of the stock. Wright's and Webster's shares in Moores were "A" shares which had double voting power.[34] The price of 36p a share valued the shareholdings at £6.5 million, which was less than the market value; however Wright's and Moores had both struggled. Wright's Biscuits had predicted losses of £500,000, while Moores Stores had seen profits tumble from over £1 million to £560,000 since 1968. Three of Wright's independent directors stated that the company lacked the financial resources to make it viable economically again, while Cavenham believed it would cost £2 million to reorganise Wright's and Moores.[35] Goldsmith offered 45p a share to the rest of the remaining stock owners in both companies, however this was below the market price of 82p. Moores Stoores operated around 685 grocery stores under both their own name and those of subsidiaries like Hay & Co,[36][37][38] while in addition to its biscuit manufacturing, Wright's operated a further 488 grocery stores under brands like Gowers & Burgon in Sheffield.[36][37][38] However Cavenham's bid was met with hostility from shareholders, led by Liverpool accountant John C. Malthouse, as the company's assests were worth at least 110p a share compared to Cavenham's 45p offer.[39][40] By November Wright's had announced losses of £1.23 million, far greater than previously predicted, but Cavenham did not withdraw its interest[clarification needed], and in December they formally released[clarification needed] their offer to the shareholders, offering ordinary shares in Cavenham.[41][42] Cavenham completed the purchase of the remaining shares against hostile shareholders at a total cost of £10 million in shares.[43][44]

In 1972, United Biscuits took over Wright's Biscuits, its subsidiary Kemp Biscuits, along with fellow biscuit manufacturer Carr's of Carlisle from the Cavenham Foods, who retained the grocery business.[45][46] In October 1972, Wright's Biscuits was put into administration with the South Shields factory finally closing in 1973. The former Kemp Biscuits factory at Great Coates was retained by United Biscuits, finally closing in 1995.[47][48]

Mabel Lucie Attwell Wright's Biscuits branding

[edit]
Women working in Wright's Biscuits factory with boxes behind displaying Attwell's Mischief design

Children's illustrator Mabel Lucie Attwell was employed by William Webster in the 1930s to create the Wright's logo, a curly-haired boy called Mischief. There was a Mischief Club for children, with members getting a collectable badge.[1][49]

Moores Stores

[edit]
Moores Stores
Gegründet1907 (public company in 1935)
Defunct1971
HauptsitzTyne and Wear
Area served
Vereinigtes Königreich
Key people
William Webster
James Goldsmith

Moores Stores was started as a single grocery store by William Moore in 1907.[50] In 1935, the company was made public and had grown to 114 stores based in the North East. The company continued to grow before and after the war by purchasing smaller grocery business so by the early 1950s it had grown to nearly 600 shops trading under their original names, including Frank Farrands, Binyons, John Kay (Kays Modern Food Stores) and T . Seymour Mead to name a few.[50][51] It was at the time the third largest grocery company behind Home and Colonial and International Tea Co. Stores.[52] It was during the 1950s that Wright's Biscuits bought their shareholding in the business, with William Webster becoming Moores chairman. In 1958, the total net assets of Wright's Biscuits were about the same as Moores Stores at around £2.5 million.[50]

The 24 Tyneside grocery business of Hanlons was added in 1960, along with the 87 strong Nottingham chain of J D Marsden.[53] In 1961, Moores added the East of Scotland grocery business of James Walker & Sons, with their further 14 stores added to their 18 Hay & Co stores based in Edinburgh.[54] The company continued to expand during 1962, purchasing the 45 store Southend on Sea based grocery chain of H. Garon (founded in 1880), and the 175 store Yorkshire chain of Thrift Stores, while they purchased 102 stores of Mence Smith, the ironmongers, from owner Timothy Whites.[55][56][57][58] Of the 102 Mence Smith stores purchased only 36 were converted to grocery stores, with the rest leased or sold off to generate funds, while H. Garon's bakery and two of its buildings were sold to raise £791,000. The company had nearly 1,000 branches at this time, however only 125 were self service and five of these were supermarkets at this time.[55][59] William Webster told the annual AGM that he was "bitterly against the high costs of acquiring supermarket sites" and that "supermarket enthusiasts are in danger of over-reaching themselves". He stated that between Wright's and Moores they would be planning no more than 30 big supermarkets.[59][60]

During 1963 it was announced that Moores subsidiary H. Garon, along with Debenhams and British Rail had agreed to develop a site in the High Street, Southend, for a department store, a supermarket, two other stores and an office block.[61][62][63] The company grew by purchasing further grocery stores, including chains John Favers and A.E. Smith from Scribbans-Kemp, the 13 branches of George Barr and Bells (Cash Grocers).[64][65][66] In 1966, Webster stated

Modernisation of warehouses and distribution centres has proceeded steadily over the past two years, while it is planned to speed up expansion into supermarkets and larger self-service stores, a considerable number will open in the later half of 1967 or early 1968. The closure of small counter service branches and the conversion of others to self-service will continue. In the year end April 1, 1967, 129 branches were closed and 44 converted. At the year end, the group had 663 counter shops and 337 self-service or supermarkets.[67]

These included new supermarkets opening in Ripley and Whitley Bay and the purchase of the 21 store south east based grocery chain of Cave Austin and Company from Burton, Son and Sanders of Ipswich.[68][69][70][71] In 1968, Moores Stores were listed at number 402 in The Times 500 Leading Companies in Britain and Overseas,[72] but the company announced a drop in profits and stated that government policies would see food prices rise.[73] By 1970, Moores was still one of the four largest grocery groups in the United Kingdom,[74] and by 1971 the company had seen a 34% up turn in business.[75]

Cavenham-Southland

[edit]
Cavenham-Southland
Gegründet1971
Defunct1976
Hauptsitz
Vereinigtes Königreich Edit this on Wikidata
Area served
Vereinigtes Königreich
Key people
Jim Wood
James Goldsmith
ParentCavenham Foods (50.1%) & Southland Corporation (49.9%)
DivisionsMoores Stores
Wright's Retail Grocers

The stores of Wright's and Moores Stores were sold to a new company, Cavenham-Southland shortly after the takeover. It was part of the Southland Corporation (owners of 7-Eleven) deal previously brokered by John Tigrett for Cavenham's newsagent business, with Southland owning 49.9% and Cavenham owning the remaining 50.1%.[76][77] As part of the deal Southland paid $10.35 million.[78] Cavenham appointed their retail chief, Jim Wood to the board, who had turned around their newsagent chain. He stayed with the company until he joined the Grand Union supermarket chain in the United States after Cavenham's purchase in 1974.[79][80] The new company continued the programme of reorganisation started prior to the takeover, closing and selling off stores and distribution centres.[81] Moores' Scottish stores, which operated under the Hay & Co brand were transferred to Allied Suppliers by Cavenham, after that company's purchase in 1972, to add to their existing Scottish portfolio of stores.[82] By 1973, the company had 729 stores against a total of 1,173 it had at the time of the takeover, and the combined Wright's/Moores group of stores had made £2 million in profits.[83][84] The number of stores had reduced to 624 stores by 1976, with most having been renamed under the Moores Stores brand, except for the larger discount stores which were branded under the Tower name.[85]

In December 1976, Cavenham purchased the 49.8% of Cavenham-Southland from the Southland Corporation that it didn't own, and renamed the company Moores-Wright's,[86][87][88] but it not stay as a separate business for long, as it was merged into Cavenham's other grocery subsidiary Allied Suppliers during 1977.[89]

Wright's and Moores Stores grocery operating names

[edit]

Wright's Biscuits and Moores Stores operated under a variety of grocery store operating names:[90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97]

  • Abbey Stores (F. H. Whaley & Sons)
  • Alex Robb & Co
  • E. H. Askew
  • George Barr
  • Bells (Cash Grocers)
  • Binyons
  • George Briscoe
  • Buckley Jones
  • Burgess Stores
  • Burgons
  • Cairns Stores
  • Cave Austin & Co
  • Consumer Tea Company
  • Frank Farrands
  • Gallon
  • H. Garon
  • E. Gower & Sons
  • Hanlons
  • Harman & Ely
  • Hay & Co
  • James Duckworth
  • James Walker & Sons
  • J D Marsden
  • John Kay (Kays Modern Food Stores)
  • John Rowntree & Sons
  • Kemp Stores
  • Metcalfe Stores
  • Moores Stores
  • Peglers Stores
  • Phillips Stores
  • Pricedown
  • R. C. Hopkinson
  • Savemore
  • S. C. Moss
  • S. Drive
  • S. Wills & Sons Ltd
  • T. Seymour Mead
  • Thrift Stores
  • Thomas & Evans
  • Thompsons The Grocers
  • Tower Discount
  • United Kingdom Tea Company
  • W Morton & Sons
  • W. G. Moss
  • W Pink & Sons
  • Woodcock & Co
  • W. Robinson (Otley)

The South Shields factory re-opening

[edit]

The factory was reopened in 1975 under the ownership of F.C. Lowe's for the production of dog biscuits. This stayed open until 1983. After the closure the factory and the chimney, a landmark for the Tyne and Wear Dock area, were demolished.[6]

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wright's Biscuits.
  • Newcastle University - Wright's Biscuits, South Shields (1790-1973) [1]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "The Directory of Directors". The Directory of Directors. Vol. 59. 1938. p. 399.
  3. ^ "Wright's Biscuits; Prospectus Estimates Exceeded". The Times. 31 August 1937. p. 17.
  4. ^ "Wright's Biscuits". Far East Trade and Engineering. Vol. 4. 1949. p. 637.
  5. ^ Patents for inventions 660001 - 6800000. pp. 163–165.
  6. ^ a b Bell, Adam. "Ships' biscuits were a bit of all Wright – Cookson Country". Shields Gazette. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Wright's Biscuits". The New Dawn. 1949. p. 106.
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  73. ^ "that tax". Comment. A Communist Weekly Review. Vol. 7. 1969. p. 532.
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