Henry Lingard

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Henry Lingard

Watercolour portrait of Henry Lingard, draper and general warehouseman. Died in 1903 aged 64. Painted by John Sowden.

from John Sowden's notebooks:

Was one of the most notable tradesmen of the city and, so far as the retail drapery business is concerned, of the West Riding. “Lingards”, the name by which his concern is known, has become almost a household word.

He was one of the first to start what is known as the fent trade and has been called its pioneer, and by sheer thrift and hard work during the course of 40 years built a business practically unique.

He never had a window show, never advertised and always paid cash within seven days. He employed 250 assistants and was a great builder.

He was born at Thornton and as a young man worked at Denholme, where subsequently he had a small shop. In 1868 he came to Bradford and set up a fent stall in the open market above Godwin Street. Afterwards he transferred his stall to the covered market in Kirkgate which laid the foundation of his prosperous business.

He gradually acquired property round about and then built the first premises well known as “Lingards” which abut on Westgate. He was not a public man, but identified himself with several charitable institutions in Bradford. He died in 1903 at the age of 64."

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-13