What a factory and what a set of memories you have of it. That’s Dewhirsts which once employed hundreds of workers at sites across Sunderland and Peterlee.
And when we shared a photo of staff pictured in 1997, it got dozens of you reminiscing about the good old days.
Some of you talked about the friends you made, the work trips to Scarborough, and the Christmas nights out.
One former worked said she cried her eyes out when the news came through that her factory was closing and others said they would ‘go back in a heartbeat’.
IJ Dewhirst operated major clothing manufacturing sites on the Leechmere Industrial Estate and at Pennywell. The former Pennywell clothing factory was eventually demolished around 2009.
Tell us about the former workplaces you would love us to feature in a nostalgia spotlight. Get in touch and tell us why you loved it so much, by emailing [email protected]
9. Great nights out
Dewhirsts staff in Leechmere became the stars of a film in February 1997 and here they are in a scene from the production. Susan Wright said: "I worked at Leechmere from 1990 until it closed in 2002. Jean Newton was my supervisor, I was an examiner. I liked working there and made many good friends. Also had some good nights out especially at Christmas. The good old days. Xx" | se
10. Debs shared Dewhirsts memories
The Dewhirst factory in Peterlee was pictured on a rainy day in 2003. Deb Watson said: "Those were the days. We had the best laughs.xxx"
11. Pictured in 1984
More than 140 staff walked from the Pennywell factory to Whitburn in 1984 to raise money for medical research. Debsy Wright said: "I worked there (Pennywell factory 1 the moved across to factory 2 when trouser line moved across) from leaving school March 1984 til June 1998 to do my nursing! Absolutely loved it and made a lot of friends for life." | se