Hyde Rd, Denton
This brick-built former hat works is two storeys high and it stands on the corner of Hyde Rd and Bromley St.
The business was founded by Charles Jean H Clermont, who was born at Whitechapel, London, in 1879. It is not known when it opened in Denton but it is likely that it was after 1909. Charles died in 1927, aged 48 years, and his death was recorded at Ashton-under-Lyne. It is understood that the family surname originated at Clermont-Ferrand, which is the capital of the Auvergne region of France and it lies to the west of Lyon.
Slater's Trade Directory for 1909 does not record the Clermont family in Denton and Esther Dykes, a beer retailer, was occupying 66 Hyde Rd at that time. Similarly, the 1911 Directory shows that Robert Linnon, a beer retailer, was occupying 66 Hyde Rd. However, the same 1911 Directory shows that the Clermont business was trading at 51A Stockport Rd, where it was sharing premises with Broadbent Lees & Sons, Hat Manufacturer. Following the premature death of Charles, the business was taken over by his 20-year-old son, John Leslie Clermont, who was born at Salford in 1907. Slater's Trade Directory for 1914 shows that the business was then operating from 66 Hyde Rd and that his residence was nearby on Hyde Rd.
They made silk, felt and velour hats for both ladies and gentlemen, the former being known as fancy hats. Velour is a fabric similar to velvet or velveteen usually made from cotton but it can be made from synthetic materials.
Ladies' hats, left, 1920s & right, 1930s.
During the Second World War, Leslie served in the army and during his absence his wife, Annie, ran the business. The family ultimately lived on Stockport Rd, a short distance beyond the Fletcher's Arms, and it was here that Annie created style ranges of ladies' hats. Later, their daughter also became engaged in the creation of style ranges.
In the course of the 1960s, Leslie's son moved into the family home on Stockport Rd but he did not carry on the business and it is not known when it closed.
| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 1881 | Living at Everards Place, Whitechapel. Jean Clermont, Head, aged 35 years, Hat Maker, born at Aix-la-Chappelle†. Helene Clermont, wife, aged 37 years, born at Aix-la-Chappelle. Adolph Clermont, Son, aged 9 years, Scholar, born at Brussels (Belgium). Justine Clermont, Daughter, aged 5 years, Scholar, born at Brussels (Belgium). Charles Clermont, Son, aged 2 years, born at Whitechapel, Middlesex. |
| 1891 | Living on Woodpecker Rd, Deptford John Claremont, Head, aged 48 years, Hatter, born at Aix-la-Chappelle, France. Ellen Claremont, Wife, aged 48 years, born at Aix-la-Chappelle, France. Adolph Clermont, Son, aged 18 years, Hatter, born at Brussels (Belgium). Justine Clermont, Daughter, aged 14 years, born at Brussels (Belgium). Charles Clermont, Son, aged 12 years, born at London E. Ellen Clermont, Daughter, aged 8 years, born at London E. Harry Vonzyl, Boarder, aged 32 years, Butcher, born at Amsterdam (Netherlands). |
| 1901 | Living on Ruby Rd, Walthamstow. John Clermont, Head, aged 58 years, Hatter's Assistant, born in Belgium (Belgian subject). Helen Clermont, Wife, aged 58 years, born in Belgium (Belgian subject). Justine Clermont, Daughter, aged 24 years, Dress and Blouse Maker, born in Belgium (Belgian subject). Charles Clermont, Son, aged 22 years, Hatter's Assistant, born at Whitechapel, London. Helen Clermont, Daughter, aged 18 years, Shirt and Collar Maker, born at Whitechapel, London. Charles James, Boarder, aged 25 years, Upholsterer, born at Clapton, London. |
†Aix-la-Chappelle is a spa city that lay in territory once the subject of disputes between France and Germany and it was close to the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands. It is now in Germany with the name of Aachen.
Adolph Clermont married at Islington in 1899, Justine Clermont married at West Ham in 1906, Charles Clermont married in Prestwich, Manchester, in 1905 and Helen Clermont married at West Ham in 1904.