Records of the Wholesale Textile Association and the Textile Distributors Association, 1913-1999

The collection comprises:

• Memoranda and articles of association, January 1926-January 1964 (WTA 1).
• Signed minutes of council meetings with an index to some, March 1912-November 1993 (WTA 2).
• Signed minutes of committee meetings with an index to some, March 1912-December 1990 (WTA 3).
• Signed printed meeting minutes of the Wholesale Distributors Association, December 1946-January 1947 (WTA 4).
• Minutes of the Federation of Wholesale and Industrial Distributors, January 1977-May 1987 (WTA 5).
• Annual reports and accounts, 1913-1996 (WTA 6).
• 'Weekley Review', February 1940-December 1999 (WTA 7-8).
• Printed trade talks, October 1939-January 1949 (WTA 9).
• Other printed items published by the association, 1930-c.1980 (WTA 10).
• Case files, September 1984-October 1993 (WTA 11).
• Ink stamps (WTA 12).
• Newspaper cuttings (WTA 13).
• Printed books published by other organisations (WTA 14).

The collection, particularly the printed minutes and the association's published 'Weekly Review', provides a valuable record of the proceedings and activities of the association. Its representation of wholesalers and distributors from small independent operators to giants such as Courtaulds is reflected in these records. The records reflect the changes taking place in the textile industry in the twentieth century.

The Wholesale Textile Association was formed in London in 1912. It was a federation of several historic textile trade associations and textile wholesalers based almost exclusively in the City of London. The function of the wholesalers was to acquire textiles in bulk from manufacturers, taking risks on the stock, and then selling it on in manageable sizes for retailers. By 1914, wholesalers from other parts of London and other towns in the United Kingdom were represented, including Nottingham.

The Association was incorporated on 11 January 1926 and was affiliated to the London Chamber of Commerce operating from its offices in Cannon Street, City of London. The association was formed to promote the wholesale textile industry in the United Kingdom through exhibitions, publication, trade conferences, and research. It was divided into committees for specialised fields such as men's and children's clothing, and overalls.

The Association thrived in the 1930s but after the second world war the development of chain stores and mail order shopping meant that retailers were able to buy stock in bulk themselves, removing the need for wholesalers. The textile wholesale trade declined in the 1960s and textile giant Courtaulds acquired many of the larger surviving wholesalers.

The Wholesale Distributors Association was set up in 1946 to serve the distribution sector of the industry but on 1 January 1964 the Wholesale Trade Association became the Textile Distributors Association representing both wholesalers and distributors. The Association was wound up in 2001 when membership dwindled to eight. In the same year, the trustees of the Association decided to put surplus funds into education.

The collection has been divided by document types into 14 series. Within these series, items have been arranged chronologically.

ACCESS: Accessible to all registered readers.

REPROGRAPHIC: Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

COPYRIGHT: Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of the Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk). The Department will try to assist in identifying copyright owners but this is often difficult and the responsibility for copyright clearance before publication ultimately rests with the person wishing to publish.

LANGUAGE: English

The collection was given to The University of Nottingham's Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections on three occasions between January 1997 and July 2000.