Detail of Frisby’s shop in Cullompton, Devon
Frisby’s was one of the earliest chains of boot and shoe shops to develop in England. The founder, Joseph Frisby (1848-1902), was the son of an agricultural worker from Frisby on the Wreake in Leicestershire. In 1871 he married Harriett Rowley, whose brother Robert was a hosiery manufacturer in nearby Syston.
Joseph entered business in Leicester, setting up as a general dealer at 59 Belgrave Gate. Although described in the Census of 1871 as ‘tobacconist’, by 1872 – when a pair of boots was stolen from an iron rod outside his shop – Joseph was selling footwear. After a spot of financial trouble in 1873 he seems to have concentrated on selling boots and shoes, to the exclusion of all else.
Frisby soon branched out. He ran market stalls in several distant towns on different days of the week. Every Saturday, for example, he manned a stall in the Cattle Market in Chesterfield, and on Wednesdays he traded from Powis Market Hall, Oswestry. For the remainder of the week, the stock for the Oswestry stall was stored in boxes and kept in the Market Hall. Aberystwyth and Wakefield markets were also attended regularly by Frisby in the late 1870s. One widow who stole a pair of shoes from the Wakefield stall received the harsh sentence of 10 years penal servitude.
Frisby opened branch shops as well as market stalls, for example on King Street, Huddersfield. He had to employ assistants to help run these outlets and, for preference, his managers were married men. By 1880 Joseph’s brother William Frisby (1851-1924) had moved with his family to Dorchester, where he managed one of the largest branches, at 14 South Street. This traded as ‘Frisby’s Great Leicester Boot warehouse’ and was augmented by new premises across the road at 7 South Street in 1899. Another important branch, trading under the same name, was at 35-37 Market Street, Lichfield. The shops offered a boot and shoe repair service.
Stone plaque on Frisby’s shop, Tewkesbury
Joseph Frisby ended his days in a large house, ‘Stoneleigh’, on Knighton Park Road in Leicester. His son Joseph Rowley Frisby (1879-1929) continued to run the business. His daughter Elizabeth is rather better known, as a suffragette who burned down Blaby railway station.
Frisby’s shop, Weston-super-Mare
Frisby’s escaped the clutches of Charles Clore in the 1950s and 1960s. It remained a privately-owned family firm until 1982, when it had 156 outlets. In that year it was bought for £6 million by Ward White, which owned Tuf shoes and a chain named Wyles.
Frisby’s, Cullompton
As with so many chain stores from the past, the biggest clue to identifying Frisby’s shops is the lettering that survives on the terrazzo floors of entrance lobbies. These lobbies were usually trapezoidal in plan. Similarities between the shopfronts in Weston-super Mare and Cullompton – with square mottled brown tiles that recall mid-century fire surrounds – indicate a house style, although the simplified lettering at Weston suggests a slightly later date.
This blog will be updated as additional examples of Frisby’s shops come to light. Please let me know of examples you come across.
Building Our Past 
Interesting find:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=162379675688&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT#ht_702wt_1186
LikeLike
Hi, I first started in the offices adjacent to Mr Brankin Frisby’s office of Joseph Frisby’s on Humberstone gate, Leicester in 1958 at the age of fifteen and was there for two years , during which time I did book-keeping, was the general dog’s body in the office, sometimes using the switchboard, apart answering the hatch for visitors that came, taking post to Campbell Street post office for dispatch, collecting postage stamps from Southampton St post-office and on Fridays collecting Brankin Frisby’s supply of cigarettes for the weekend from a nearby newsagent on Lee St circle, at the end of day I collated the post to go out in addressed shop envelopes that was to be dispatched to the many shops owned by the group the first one being in Ashburton. I can almost to this day recall most all of the over one-hundred branches. the office consisted of Mr Buckley, Mr Ken Workman, Mrs Gamble,Mrs Cook, Hazel ??? and other ladies who at this time i cannot remember. The staff of the different areas of buying were Shoes etc Mr Walker, Mr Taylor, Mr Chris Tame,Mr Graham Stevenson, hosiery etc Mr Ludlam, Mrs Lewis , Director Mr Spindler and if I tried harder might recall others. The warehouse in the basement of the building was run by Mr Bromley , one of whose staff was Mr David Johnson. Paddy Palmer was another staff member who had association with the farm at Carlton Curliue .The upper floors with there various stock were staffed by others one of whom was Arthur Morledge and also his brother-in-law, —– Jarvis. Also the two sons Jonothan and David were on the premises.I can to this day still walk round the building in my mind starting with the sweeping staircase that led from the corner of the building on St James street, through the door at the top of the stairs with the hatch that I opened when visitors called just to the right.
LikeLike
Great to hear these memories – thanks John!
LikeLike
John, I think you were in my form at Wiggy and I too worked at Frisby’s from ’59 to ’61 I think. Worked with Mr Bill Marvin in the ‘specials (big feet etc) dept. Were the sons not Jonathan and Nicholas? The daughter was Joanna, I used to wrap parcels for her to send to Roedean! Chris Tame was my best friend’s best man! It was Graham Stevenson who informed me of JFK’s assassination, I had just been dropped off near my parents’ and he was just passing! So many familiar names and so many memories. I went out with Mrs Bushnell’s daughter for a time. Regards Bob Harriman
LikeLike
Hi Bob ,thank you for the reminder to me that it was indeed Jonothan and Nicholas ( not David, where that came from I do not know , perhaps it was his middle name!). I was never at Wiggy , my senior schooling was at Ellis Avenue which I left during the summer holiday in 1958. , Mrs Bushnell’s name rings a bell but I can’t quite recall who she worked alongside, perhaps you can remind me!. It’s hard to appreciate that possibly almost all of those named are no longer alive now as I was only 15 to 17 yrs of age during my time there now heading towards 74 and they all seemed very senior to me then. Regarding Graham Stevenson while I was there he had had a holiday in Spain and I bought from him a Spanish currency note from him which I still have to this day. Regards and cheers, John
LikeLike
John, I had just finished my post when the penny dropped that the times didn’t fit! It was of course at St Peters in Gopsall Street that we were contemporaries. I have a form picture that Valerie Nosworthy, as was, sent to me some time ago. I think I have the right chap! We have a new e-mail address ,not the one below, should you wish me to send a copy let me know at riaharriman@btinternet.com then I can send it as an attachment Regards Bob Harriman.
LikeLike
Hello John.
Would you happen to know if Frisby’s ever had a branch in Cheltenham?
Regards, Fee Manley
LikeLike
I loved reading all the stories about Frisby shoes.
Frisby shoes is apart of my family history
LikeLike
My daughter lives in Cullompton and when I was down there last month spotted the Frisby logo in the doorway of a former shop (as featured). She plays frisbee and when I mentioned Frisby she thought it was one and the same – young people, eh? However, as someone growing up in the 50s in Birmingham and having an aunt in Warminster, Wiltshire I recall a Frisby shop in East Street in the town but when it closed I cannot say. But seeing the Cullompton doorway brought back many happy memories of a more innocent time.
LikeLike
I am trying to locate a Frisby’s store shown in and old photo. Is there some where I could post the photo in case someone recognises the location. Thanking you in advance.
LikeLike
I have found some old photos of Frisby shoes at Burnham on sea high street taken in 1955. The website is francisfrith/com/uk
AnneYates
LikeLike
I just noticed the name carved above an estate agency at the Cross in Tewkesbury. Then I googled it.
LikeLike
My father worked for Frisby’s as a shop manager throughout my childhood,he started as a relief manager and became manager of the Barnstaple branch in the 1950’s until his death in the 1960’s
LikeLike
I worked for Frisby’s from September 1979 to September 1980 as a trainee manageress. It has just come to light today that they never paid my taxes and national insurance from my wages, so I have a years less pension. Most unhappy.
LikeLike
My Father worked for Frisby’s starting I believe after the war starting at Dorchester, Dorset. He became a relief manager until 1946 or 1947 when he became manager of Bridport, Dorset (8 East Street). On 13th April we moved to Wimborne, Dorset (9 East Street). Unfortunately I am unable to remember the time of his retirement.
I have just been given some archive material dating from the war by a friend – surnames Riches. The Pilot of the aircraft was a Sgt Frisby who apparently owned 200 shoe shops.Is this the same family?
LikeLike
After watching the D day service I looked out my late fathers medals which were post to Frisby’s Gillingham. I remember him talking about Dorchester branch and I know he had worked in Wimborne and my parents married in the Methodist church there in 1952. He became Manager in Moorland road branch, Bath and then on to Malmesbury where he stayed until retirement.
LikeLike
I am afraid that I do not remember your name. When did you work in Wimborne?
LikeLike
It was my Father Aubrey Ashby .I’m not sure of the dates but he married in Wimborne in 1952 to a
Mary Hemmings and was working in Wimborne about that time.He started married life in Bath as manager of Frisby’s Moorland road.
LikeLike
I vaguely remember the name. We moved to Wimborne in 1953 – 13th April! My father was manager at Bridport. We moved from 8 East Street to 9! Thank you for your reply.
LikeLike
Hello, my Dad was also the manager of Dorchester branch from about 1975 until the day they closed.
we lived in the flat above the shop and I can remember helping out in school holidays and saturdays.
apart from 2 flats above the shop which had a old winding staircase with mosaic skylight there was a basement that went out under the road.
there was also old workshops at the rear that had been used previously as repair workshops.
lovely memories
LikeLike
I worked at Frisby’s Chesterfield branch from 1955 to September 1962 when the shop closed down,we were all very sad as we were so happy there. I can remember Mr Spindler,and our area manager Mr Blunt, our manager was Mr Reg Marshall a very nice man.l still have the letters sent to me by Mr Frisby on the occasion of my wedding,and when the shop closed down ,I have very happy memories of working there. Mrs V A Rimmington.
LikeLike
Could you tell me where the shop in chesterfield was located please
LikeLike
Hi Margaret
I have a frisby poster with the Chesterfield branch on it was 25 packers row Chesterfield
LikeLike
Hello Mrs Rimmington. Having read your message regarding your memories of working at Frisby’s in Chesterfield, I had to send you this … my Farther was Reg Marshall. He became the Manager of the Derby Branch from 1962 to 1976 where he remained highly respected by all. He died in the July of 1976. He was 54. Thankyou for highlighting his name with such a particular memory of him. Sadly, It did make me cry! I do hope you get to read this message. My Kindest Regards … David Marshall.
LikeLike
I still use a Frisby’s boot brush in my leather workshop! Thanks for your article. I can send you a photo.
Regards Harry
LikeLike
Harry, The head office I worked at was on the corner of St James Street with Humberstone Gate, Leicester, the building still stands there but is a in a sad state related to the time I was there. If no problem a photograph would be interesting. Regards John
LikeLike
I was Secretary to Jonathan and Nicholas for 16 years starting at Ash Street and then Syston. Loved the job and visited many of the shops. In those days many of the staff had been there all of their working life and I would visit with Nicholas when they retired or to check on new windows or go to openings of new branches.
Mrs Bushnall (Pam), one of the nicest people ever was in charge of the typing pool and a very good friend. She had two daughters Jane and Sue who both now live in Wales. I unfortunately attended Pam’s funeral a good few years ago now.
I went on to work with the brothers when they took over the Quorn Country Club which they built on to become the Quorn Country Hotel.
Lovely to read all your experiences.
Regards Drusilla Hart (Dru)
LikeLike
Hi Drusillla. it’s nice to hear from someone else who relates to the Leicester headquarters of the Frisby empire, At the time I was there, the Ash street unit to me was thought of more of an annex and storage building and I hardly had any contact with that premise..I do seem to remember the name of Mts Bushnall, and I believe she worked for Mr Ludlam the hosiery etc buyer ( I may confused about that ).and the only secretary in my time there was for Mr Joseph and she was June ???? and so to hear of a typing pool suggests that it was very busy while you were there. . It was interesting also to know that .the brothers who I considered to be quite different from each other finding Nicholas the most amenable one of the two eventually took over the Quorn Country Club, quite a change from their background at Frisby’s. Considering my age at that time and the brothers relative ages to me I would think they are now deceased or at the minimum well in their nineties.
Regards John
LikeLike
Hello there. It was June Harris and she worked for their father I took over from there. They are still around Nicholas is 82 Jonathan a bit younger.
Regards Dru
LikeLike
Hello Drucilla, thank you for reminding me it was June Harris and I well remember her little office just to the left of the passage that led to the first floor. I had considered that there was quite a difference in my age to Nicholas and Jonathan but apparently it seems not too many years , that was perhaps due to the fact that i was very small at that time and felt a bit overpowered albeit later I eventually grew up to be six feet and still hold that height.
regards John
LikeLike
Hi Dru, What memories have come flooding back through reading these posts! My daughter, Cat, is doing some family tree research and wondered if Frisbey’s, where her Grandma Pam Bushnell worked, was still in existence. The last time I saw you was at Mum’s funeral in 2008 although I did catch a glimpse of you on a TV programme about Leicester market and there you were! You didn’t look any different. As you said, Jane and I both live in South Wales.
I do remember going into the Frisbey offices in Humberstone Gate (I think) and I also remember the office coach trips, although I can’t remember where we went, maybe the seaside? And then there were the theatre trips to London that all the ‘girls’ went on each year. I lost track of what happened to Frisbey’s after I left Leicester and after Mum died but do remember many of the names that other people have mentioned. Regards Sue Gibbons (nee Bushnell)
LikeLike
Hi Susan of course I remember you and Jane Sorry to be so long replying have been fighting cancer back and forth to hospital. Your mum was a great friend and lovely person..Nicholas and Jonathan at still around. I came to your mum’s funeral with Sheila who is now quite poorly. Lovely to hear from you lots of love to you and all your family. Take Care (Drusilla) Dru Hart
LikeLike
Hi, my father worked at the building in st James Street Leicester after leaving school at the age of 14, the only time he was not there was when he did National Service, he was there at the end in Syston when Ward Whitecame in and took over before the site was closed down in the 1980’s I do have a couple of photographs from a dinner dance in the 1960’s if you want to see it, my father was Harry Norledge not as mentioned earlier Arthur Morledge and as far as I know his brother in law did not work for the company, I still have Focus shoes in my wardrobe I cannot bear to part with them. I also remember David Johnson and someone who worked in the offices who lived on Humberstone Drive area of Leicester named Mrs Tilley she had dark brown hair and I saw het when the coach the had dropped the staff off each night, they did this when they moved from Ash Street to Syston. Many thanks, Jennifer Howe nee Norledge
LikeLike
Hello Jennifer , obviously the passage of time mixed up the names in my mind, certainly the surname of Norledge still stuck well in my head albeit I gave him the wrong first name, there was a worker ( was his name Arthur Morley ) who’s brother in law also worked there and I think his name was Harry and I recall he had very dark , curly hair and I believe he lived off Abbey Lane, Leicester. David Johnson became a friend later in his life via my wife who was acquainted with is wife and after his wife died I did as much as I could to support him until he also passed away. Mrs Tilley is not known to me. I would very much like to see the photo’s at some time convenient to yourself lf that can be arranged . Regards John ( Croft )
LikeLike
Hi John,
I have found the photos I mentioned, can you give me your email address & I can send them over to you.
Jennifer
LikeLike
Thank you Jennifer , my email is john.croft797@ntlworld.com. I look forward to receiving the images of the photos and will hopefully see many of the staff that I knew. Regards John
LikeLike
I worked in stock control at the Syston headquarters and remember the man being discussed as Arthur Norledge.
LikeLike
I worked for frisbys chard branch. Infact it was their 15th branch they opened. It retained that branch number during its change from frisbys to Tandom then Shoefayre before eventually becoming shoe zone. No longer a shoe shop now but very found memories of my first job in 1979. Shame they could not have retained ownership
LikeLike
Crazy question but I have a Frisby’s boot lace hook , maybe a piece of history , I cant find any info on it any idea anyone ?? One side says ‘Let Frisbys repair your old boots’ and the other ‘ Frisbys boots are all guaranteed ‘
LikeLike
I worked at Syston as ladies buyer from August 1980 until the sale to Ward White. Although I was only there 2 1/2 yearsit was a very happy time. I certainly remember you Dru…and Steve Martin .Jonathan and Nick were great to work for …I saw Jonathan in Harborough about 10 years ago and we had a good old reminisce. So many names I wont list them all but very happy days indeed.
LikeLike
My grandfather Purvis Seldon was the manager of Frisbys’ Clevedon branch in the 1920’s. That shop kept the same name after the takeover and eventually closed down a few years ago.
LikeLike
My Grandads family ran Frisby’s in Dinnington.
LikeLike
I have a photo too
LikeLike
There is a Frisbys sign on a building in Burnham on Sea in Somerset
LikeLike
Thanks. Do you have an address Simon?
LikeLike
I came across this sign by accident while on holiday this week. It was of interest to me as I worked for frisbys at their head office in Syston, Leicestershire. I have a photo of the sign, is there a way I could send it to you. The shop is on the corner of 39 high street and Adam Street. Anne Yates.
LikeLike
I worked in Frisbys at Dorchester from 1971 – 1984. Remember having visits from Jonathan Frisby.
LikeLike
hello, Lynda, hope your well.
its been awhile! searching through some of dad’s things that lead to me finding this site.
happy memories
LikeLike
My mum
And dad were a husband and wife team for just about the whole of their working life.
Dad was the manager and mum
First assistant. Eric Hickling and Lavina Hickling
First shop was Shirebrook where I was born. Next Shotton, then Tamworth. It eventually changed to Tandom shoes and they both retired from there. Many happy memories of living above a shoe shop. The smell of wed flies still takes me back to my childhood.
LikeLike
I knew your mom and Dad and probably met you as a child . They were so lovely and we were on first names and just loved to here them say ‘kate’ as their accents sounded a bit northern which i just loved . A friendship started when i mentioned one day i started my work career in the Tamworth branch in April 1966 as junior assistant. Fond memories although maybe not so keen at the time cleaning the brass on the big heavy door and all around the big wipe feet clean mat every morning! I still have the printed joseph Frisby envelope with letter telling me i had a job there . Lovely to see you on here and still think of Ftisbys and your mum and Dad when i pass the modernised shop it became , which i think ruined it . Best wishes Kate pointon
LikeLike
Have recently retired and in all of my business life both Nicholas Frisby and Jonathan Frisby were probably the nicest business partners it was my privilege to know.
LikeLike
My name is mrs June Harris (nee Laughton/Bentham). I was secretary to Joseph brankin frisby father of Nicklaus and Jonathon for over 25 years. I started with the company as a junior at 18, and remember a lot names mentioned and all the branch shops. It’s lovely to remember the old names and lovely people.
LikeLike
Hi June….I think we worked together in the buying office. I was in stock control. I remember a lady named Doreen who worked with you. I hope you are keeping well….Stephen
LikeLike
Hello Mrs. Harris, my name is Bob Beck and I am sure we met just the once in 1968. I started working for Frisbys in 1962 as a trainee manager located at the Wimborne branch and the manager’s name was Bert Brake. I was a relief manager for a few years under Mr, AC Wainright, the area inspector. I married in 1964 and immediately took over the Moorland Road branch from Aubrey Ashby. Early in 1968 I received a letter from Mr. Spindler advising me that a new branch was to be opened in the summer of that year in a new shopping centre close to Bristol it was in the Yate Shopping Centre. Mr Brankin Frisby arrived with his PA in a Triumph Vitesse Estate and I am sure you were the driver. My E-Mail is bob.beck.gsl1@outlook.com It would be nice to know if my memory is still in working order. I now live back in Poole, close to the place where I was born. Take care. Bob Beck.
LikeLike
Hi June nice to hear from you hope you are well and happy. Dru
LikeLike
John Croft
I am writing on behalf of June Harris who is my aunt and I found this for her today. She says she would be good to talk to you. She is now 86.
LikeLike
My mum and dad worked there for many years my dad was Harry Pearson.He started there when he was young.He became Warehouse Manager at Wanlip Road Syston.
My mum started working in the canteen first then became in charge of Sundries Department.My mums name is Betty we had some great times there I also worked in the warehouse there for over 10 years.
LikeLike
There is a Frisby’s shop in Southbourne Bournemouth that was there for many years, it still has the familiar tiled name on the floor and is now a cheese shop
LikeLike
Wayne I remember your mum and dad very well. Your dad worked with Ron Parkin who unfortunately died quite a few years ago now. Send my best regards to your mum and dad. Dru Hart
LikeLike
H
LikeLike
Hi Dru
Hoping you’re keeping well ?
Sadly my dad passed away in Aug 1998 at the age of 78.
My mum has just turned 99 in Aug this year.
I live with her I’m her Full Time carer now.
She’s in quite good health.
Lovely to hear from you.
Best Wishes Wayne
LikeLike
Sorry to hear about your dad but your mum is a good age and bless you for caring for her.
I have had Cancer sometimes I am ok and other times not so good but just get on with things.
I am sure you remember Tim who worked in the warehouse and married Sue. Tim lives in South Africa now but Sue is still local and I see here from time to time.
You take care and much love to you and your mum.
LikeLike
Hi Dru
LikeLike