Two years ago there came to Luton a small new industry - the manufacture of fancy leather goods. From portmanteaux to autograph albums, an acceptable class of goods is turned out at the premises of Messrs W. A. Maylor & Co, of Collingdon Street, Luton, a branch of the business at 294 City Road, London.
In the course of a chat with a Luton News representative, the Luton manager, Mr R. G. Hartley said: "Yes, it is true we have purchased larger premises in Moor Street from Mr George W. Pryer, and we intend going there immediately.
"Our lease for the Collingdon Street premises expires this Michaelmas, and as we want more room we have acquired these premises, which have previously been used in the building trade. They will need considerable alteration before they meet fully with our requirements, but we shall be able to double the number of our present employees. There are about 30 at Collingdon Street, but we hope within a short time to have 100 engaged at Moor Street, and, when we are able to utilise the whole of the ground we have purchased and put down machinery, we shall have accommodation and work for anything from 200 to 300.
"So far as the business is concerned, it has been what I may describe as a limited success, which means that from the purely business standpoint it has not yielded a great return, but as an experiment, for that was all it was, it has proved most successful.
"There have been difficulties to be faced, such as obtaining supplies of raw material and the training of inexperienced labour, but we have done so well that we feel thoroughly justified in launching out on a more extensive scale.
A very considerable portion of our trade is for export, and was formerly in the hands of the Germans, and you will gather from that that we have captured a very large amount of German and Austrian trade. We have been supported in our efforts by many Government departments, but particularly the Board of Trade.
"We shall bring to Luton a number of experienced workpeople from our London factory, and we are embarking on the new venture with high hopes.
"I may say that so far as the export trade is concerned, we are taking such measures as will enable us to retain it after the war, and when the present restrictions on output and the shipping difficulties are removed, you may be assured that this new industry will play a most important part in the industrial life of Luton and district."
[The Luton News: Thursday, September 20th, 1917]