Records of the Scottish Retail Distributors Association Ltd, trade association, Glasgow, Scotland

• Minutes, 1911-1985;
• Annual reports and financial statements, 1942-1982;
• Journals etc, 1911-1985;
• Correspondence, 1935-1984;
• Newletters, 1963-1984;
• Miscellaneous files, 1967-1983;
• Statistics, 1979-1984;
• Membership list, 1964-1985;
• Scottish Retail Drapers Association News review, 1956-1982.

The  Scottish Retail Drapers Association was formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in  1942  through the amalgamation and restructuring of a number of existing textile trade associations. These included the  Scottish Retail Drapers, Outfitters, Garment Makers & Millineries Federation, formed in c1919, and its affiliated associations such as the  Glasgow & West of Scotland Retail Drapers, Outfitters, Garment Makers & Milliners Association formed in c1904, along with similar organisations in Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Under the Scottish Retail Drapers Association umbrella, the former Dundee, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen associations acted as branches while the central administration in Glasgow looked after all other members. By the  1960s , the Association had a number of divisions including Edinburgh & South East of Scotland, Fife, Dumfries, and the North East of Scotland.

The objects of the Association were to protect and assist members in matters affecting their trade; to secure joint action by members on all matters promoting their general interests; and to affiliate with similar organisations to secure joint action nationally. Membership was open to firms or individuals connected with the drapery, dressmaking, millinery or outfitting trade in Scotland. It was managed by a council consisting of delegates from each branch association and representatives from individual firms. The office bearers consisted of a chairman and 2 vice chairs elected at the annual general meeting held in December of each year.

By 1955, an executive committee ran the Association from offices in Sauchihall Street, Glasgow, employing staff, including a director, secretary and 3 support staff. A clearing house had been established to help pay company accounts when members of the association encountered cash-flow problems. This aided the companies by avoiding expensive bank charges that could have been incurred. The Association also concerned itself with matters relating to the industry such as contracts, government legislation and the Board of Trade, redevelopment schemes, and in later years the impact of Sunday trading and hypermarkets on the industry.

Around  1982 , the association was incorporated as a limited liability company,  Scottish Retail Distributors Association Ltd. However, following an embezzlement scandal the new company entered into liquidation in  1985 .

This material has been arranged into series described in the Scope and Content note area. Within these series the material is generally arranged chronologically.

Open

Permanent loan : Speirs Watson, Chartered Accountants : Glasgow : May 1985 : ACCN 0067

Digital file level list available in searchroom.

Manual file level list available at the National Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)2676) and London (NRA25432)

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Acquired from liquidators

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This material is original

Fonds level description compiled by Hannah Westall, Archives Assistant, 17 December 1999. Lower level descriptions compiled by Glasgow University Archive Services staff. Finding aid created by Andrew Semple, Administration Assistant, 11 November 2002. Catalogue revised by David Powell, Hub Project Archivist, 17 October 2002. Catalogue edited by Michelle Kaye, Archives Assistant, 19 July 2012. Catalogue amended and enhanced by Kath Roper-Caldbeck, cataloguing volunteer, 31 July 2018.