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| R. J. Stokes |
Little London Road, Sheffield, S8
tel : 0114 258 9595 fax : 0114 250 9836 |
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| Robert James Stokes began working in the paint trade in 1887 in Wrexham when he was apprenticed to J F Smith, a paint and varnish merchant. In 1894 he moved to Liverpool to work for R R Minton & Co. In the same year the firm sent him to Leeds and in 1895 he was asked to set up a new shop for them in Sheffield in Norfolk Street. |
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Robert settled in Sheffield and became engaged to Sabina Himsworth in 1897. Sabina's father Joseph was a cutler.
In March 1899 with the help of his brother Walter, he set up his own company producing paint for the domestic market as well as for the thriving Sheffield steel industry. A new branch was opened in 1903, in Packers Row, Chesterfield. This was managed by his elder brother Frank. Within three years the firm had expanded and new premises were built at 44 Cambridge Street.
Over the next few years more Stokes family members joined the company, Herbert in 1906, William in 1908 and Thomas in 1913.
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During World War One Robert's son Edwin joined the firm. Shortly after the war ended, land was bought in Little London Road to set up a paint mill and varnish-making kitchen.
Throughout the 1920's and 1930's the paint trade flourished. As Chesterfield town was being rebuilt, the firm moved to new premises in Knifesmith Gate, and new varnish storehouses were added to the works in 1925. At the outbreak of the Second World War the company had another Sheffield shop in Waingate on the site of the moat of the old Sheffield Castle. The firm also owned premises in Wrexham and Rotherham.
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Throughout the Second World War R. J. Stokes Ltd. were contracted to carry out Government work. The Air Ministry required them to manufacture paint for the camouflage schemes used by the large Steel Companies.
The works took a direct hit during the blitz in May 1941, but the buildings were restored within six months.
Robert Stokes died in 1953.
Today the company is in its fourth generation of the family.
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| For information about our products and services, look at our web site at www.rjstokes.co.uk |
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