Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Ashley, Laura, Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Ashley, Bernard
  • Ashley, Mountney Ltd
  • Ashley, Laura, Holdings Plc

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • Carno, Powys, Powys, Wales, Wales

Sectors:

  • Distribution - retailing Furniture, carpets, home furnishings, etc, retailing
  • Wearing apparel & footwear production Outerwear & underwear production
  • Textile production Textile finishing
  • Distribution - retailing Wearing apparel, footwear, haberdashery, mercery, etc, retailing

Notes:

Established by Laura and Bernard Ashley in London in the early 1950s as designers and printers of textile fabrics for clothing and home furnishings. Incorporated initially as Ashley Mountney Ltd but soon renamed Laura Ashley Ltd. Relocated to Wales where opened first factory, at Carno, Montgomeryshire, in 1967. Mid 1960s started to make women's outer clothing. First retail outlet, in London, in 1968, and overseas in 1973. Subsequently established a major retailing presence in Britain and overseas. Floated as Laura Ashley Holdings Plc in 1985. Collapsed into administration 2020

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