W HEN it came to fashion and trendsetting Laura Ashley had it all sewn up in the 1980s.
The company had two factories in North East Wales employing about 350 machinists in Leeswood, Flintshire, and around 150 in Gresford, Wrexham.
Every week thousands of stylish skirt and flowing dresses were produced, all bearing the trademark intricate designs that were hugely popular at the time.
By 1988 Gresford was turning out 9,800 skirts a week and Leeswood 8,000 dresses. The factories also took on overspill from other Welsh plants producing trousers and suits.
Sadly in the 1990s demand slumped and the Leeswood factory closed, followed by the Gresford plant. Laura Ashley moved out and the big Leeswood plant was eventually demolished.
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Sharing a photo of the Leeswood site to the Leader's 'Local Bygones' nostalgia Facebook group, we asked if people had worked there.
The Laura Ashley factory in Leeswood before its closure, September 1990.
Ashley Gardner: "I worked there from 1985-1990, in factory 1 and 2. Marge Baines interviewed me and managed all the trainees. Good times. From there I went to Velmore Fashions on Holt Road. Many Laura Ashley girls ended up there."
Karen Bagnall: "I worked there from 1977 to 1984 the moved to the Gresford new site until it closed. Best days of my working life."
Mand Dawn Skelly: "I worked here from 1989 to 1990."
Tina Samuels: "I did the last two years before it closed."
From left: Laura Ashley Leeswood Carnival Queen 1979, 1980 and 1983.
Dawn Prydderch: "Indeed I did, 1980 to 1990."
Langer Langford: "My mum worked there, Marion Langford."
Christine Stubbs: "I worked there for a couple of years."
Lynnette Andrews: "I work in there putting putty in the little jars."
Pete Roberts recalled: "Never worked there but I used to collect orders for Universal underwear from there."
Laura Ashley (Leeswood) factory staff at a cheque presentation, November 1979.
• To see more photos from the Leader archives, you can visit our Local Bygones section at leaderlive.co.uk or join our Local Bygones Facebook group for exclusive photos and chat about the past.
Or if you have and photos or memories you would like to share with us, you can do so direct here or email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk
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