Industrial Giants Of Glasgow's East End

The East End of Glasgow was an industrial powerhouse and home to many long-established companies. Here are a few:

Tennent’s Brewery on Duke Street can trace its roots back to 1556, when Robert Tennent began brewing on the banks of the Molendinar Burn. The business grew steadily, and by 1860, it was the world’s largest exporter of beer, including Pale Ale for the British Army in India. Descendant of the founder, Hugh Tennent, took control of the business in 1884, with the first Tennent’s lager produced the following year. Wellpark Brewery was completed in 1891. In the early 1960s, cans of Tennent’s featured photos of attractive young female models known as the ‘Lager Lovelies.’ The company’s innovative marketing continued with sports sponsorship and the music festival ‘T in the Park.’

Located on Bernard Street in Bridgeton is the firm of Thomas Taylor Bowls, founded by James Taylor, who began making violin cases in 1770. Six years later, Taylor started producing billiard balls, bowling green bowls, and artificial limbs at their original premises in Montrose Street. They remain the oldest customer of the Bank of Scotland, having opened their account in 1770. In 1992, the business was bought by the Heron family, who continue to maintain the reputation of the firm manufacturing lawn bowls and ancillaries.

In 1849, the firm of Robert Paterson & Son developed Camp Coffee, reputedly following a request from the British Army for a coffee that could be easily and quickly prepared. From their works on Charlotte Street, they distributed the coffee and chicory essence both at home and abroad. They are now part of the Schwartz group, based at Hillington.

Founded in 1848, the glazing firm C & W Summers was located for over 100 years on Kent Street, next to the Barras. From their current premises on Sydney Street, they have carried out prestigious work at the Kibble Palace in the Botanic Gardens and at the Glasgow School of Art.

Soft drinks manufacturer Barr’s was founded in Falkirk in 1873 by Robert Barr. The firm expanded by opening a new works on Gallowgate in 1892. Nine years later, they introduced a new drink called ‘Iron Brew,’ which quickly became popular. By 1905, it was being delivered in returnable glass bottles. Due to material shortages, the drink was withdrawn during the Second World War and relaunched in 1947 as Irn-Bru. It went on to achieve greater market penetration in Scotland than the global brand Coca-Cola. Barr’s innovative advertising - such as the slogan ‘Made in Scotland from girders’ and their ‘Snowman’ Christmas advert in 2006 - along with football sponsorship, cemented their market position. In 1996, the Gallowgate works relocated to Cumbernauld.

At number 49 Holywell Street, off Gallowgate, stands Cardowan Creameries, founded in 1930 in a former cotton mill dating from 1866, which had manufactured munitions during the First World War. Cardowan Creameries specialise in making cake and pastry margarines, bread fats, as well as vegan and kosher products.

Ladder and paintbrush manufacturer W & J Clow was established in 1924 on Broad Street, where they remain to the present day.