Kleeneze
This month’s “Memory” focuses on the homeware company Kleeneze, which until 2004 was based in Martins Road in Hanham.
Kleeneze was founded in 1923 by Harry Crook, who had returned to Bristol after emigrating to the United States and gaining experience as a sales representative with the Fuller Brush company. He started his business in Hanham making brushes, which were sold door-to-door by salesmen.
Kleeneze remained at its original Hanham site for 80 years. In 1995, the company was bought by European Home Retail and in May 2004 Kleeneze relocated its headquarters and distribution centre to Warmley.
The company was bought by Findel Plc in 2007 after the collapse of European Home Retail and moved its operations to Hyndburn in Lancashire. It is now owned by Manchester-based brands house Ultimate Products, as part of their wider portfolio of homeware brands.
The site of the Hanham factory has been empty for some time, and is to be developed for housing in the coming years. However, before its move to Lancashire the company was a major employer in the local area.
The photographs were taken during the company’s heyday, and show a visit to the site in 1979 by the late Baroness Margaret Thatcher. Mrs Thatcher was elected as Prime Minister that year, and the current year marks the 50th anniversary of her election as leader of the Conservative Party.
If you worked for Kleeneze, or were present when Mrs Thatcher visited the Hanham site, please share your memories with Kingswood Heritage Museum by email at kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com, or by phone on 0117 9605664.