The interior of Glenister’s chair factory on Bellfield Road, High Wycombe, taken in September 1902. The image shows a team of workers who would fit seats into chair frames – you can also see a little dog sat on a chair amidst the workers. Some of the workers look very young. It was common to become an apprentice at the age of 14 or even 12. Glenisters spans much of the history of local furniture making from humble beginnings in the 1830s to closure in 1990. Like many local furniture businesses, Glenisters began as a side line to another business – in the backyard of a pub. It grew to become one of the largest furniture businesses in High Wycombe and Thomas Glenister was the first chair factory boss to become mayor of High Wycombe, in 1899.
Museum number HIWLH : P189
