The leather industry in Walsall developed in the mid-19th century, it was a very prosperous trade in the area, providing many with highly skilled work. Walsall’s leather industry particularly focused on producing equestrian goods, the likes of which were always in high demand as much of industry was still powered by horses as a form of transportation. Walsall’s leather industry specialised in making saddles, even to this day many local leather works still make high quality saddles for the likes of the Royal family. One of the first saddleries, Jabez Cliff and Co, (now known as Barnsby Saddles) was established in 1793 by Jabez Cliff. The company quickly grew to become of the top five saddlery businesses in the world.

1. WALSALL—A HISTORY
Walsall was once the leather goods capital of Britain. The leather industry
in Walsall developed in the mid-19th century, it was a very prosperous trade
in the area, providing many with highly skilled work. Walsall’s leather indus-
try particularly focused on producing equestrian goods, the likes of which
were always in high demand as much of industry was still powered by hors-
es as a form of transportation. Walsall’s leather industry specialised in mak-
ing saddles, even to this day many local leather works still make high quality
saddles for the likes of the Royal family. One of the first saddleries, Jabez
Cliff and Co, (now known as Barnsby Saddles) was established in 1793 by
Jabez Cliff. The company quickly grew to become of the top five saddlery
businesses in the world.
By the 20th century Walsall was home to a third of Britain’s saddlers and
harness makers, although as the traditional roles of the horse was replaced
by motor vehicles the need for equestrian goods slowly declined and many
leather traders turned their attention to making light leathergoods such as
travelling bags, hat boxes, wallets and writing cases. Much of the surviving
leathergoods firms have focused on the high end of the market, crafting
goods for the world’s most famous brands. Today, saddlery and bridle trade
in Walsall has seen a dramatic revival with some ninety leather companies
producing a wide variety of items which are exported across the world.
Aside from the leather industry, Walsall was also known for its metalworks,
making equipment for horses such as stirrups, bits and braces which by the
19th century were being mass produced in iron foundries in Walsall.

2. JABEZ CLIFF ROOM
Jabez Cliff and Sons (now known as Barnsby Saddles) at its peak was one of
the top five saddlery businesses in the world. Jabez Cliff started up the sad-
dlery business in 1873 in Portland Street, Walsall. However, not long after Jab-
ez and his two sons were killed in the typhoid epidemic that had hit Britain in
1881. The company would have collapsed if not for Jabez’s wife, Mary, and his
daughter who carried on the business. By 1882, Mary had remarried to Fred-
erick Joseph Tibbits, a bridlemaker, meaning the company could produce bri-
dles as well as saddles. Mary and Frederick’s only son Jabez Cliff Tibbits joined
the company in 1902. Tibbits was intent on expanding the company, eventual-
ly merging the company with J A Barnsby & Son, another prominent saddle
maker in the area.
During the Second World War the company began producing military equip-
ment such as gun pouches and webbing. This brought about a connection with
the military which continued throughout subsequent conflicts. Unfortunately,
by June 2014 the company had ceased trading due to major financial prob-
lems

3. FRANK BAINES ROOM
Established in 1980 Frank Baines Saddlery is a family run business
based in Walsall. The founder of the company, Frank, started his carri-
er in the saddle trade in 1964 when he began an apprenticeship aged
fifteen. He started the business with his wife Jane, a leather machinist.
Together they began producing saddles in his kitchen. The company
soon gained a reputation and became one of the world’s finest saddle
makers, moving from the kitchen into a workshop in Walsall. In the lat-
er years, Frank’s son Garry and daughter Victoria joined the business
to carry on the traditions. Each saddle produced by the company today
is custom-made by hand.

4. EYLAND ROOM
Eyland and Sons was one of Walsall’s oldest manufacturers,
founded in 1760. The firm was established by Moses Eyland
producing spectacles and buckets. It soon became one of the
best known spectacle manufacturers in the area.
The factory was situated in a row of terraced houses that still
stand today, although some were demolished in the slum
clearances during the 1930s. The spectacles the firm produced
were exported to many parts of the world. The business still
survives, operating as F.H Tomkin’s factory in Brockhurst Cres-
cent, Walsall.

5. ALBION ROOM
Paul and Sherry Belton established the Albion England brand in
1985. Based in Walsall, the company uses a blend of traditional val-
ues and artisan craftsmanship alongside revolutionary innovation
and state of the art technology. The company produces a range of
equestrian competition saddles, bridles and accessories. As well as
this, the company hand produces country lifestyle items.

6. D MASONS AND SONS
ROOM
D. Mason and Sons was a saddlery based in Walsall. They are best
known for their large involvement in the First World War, a time
where the Walsall leather trade was at its busiest. D Mason and
Sons are known to have produced some 100,000 saddles alone for
the British Army during the war.

7. KINGS ROOM
King’s Saddlery is one of the largest saddle makers in the UK. Established
over thirty years ago in 1986, King’s Saddlery has developed a strong mar-
ket across the world including markets in the likes of Germany, Benelux,
France, Denmark, Australia and America. King’s Saddlery was set up by
brothers David and Robert, who had previously undertaken apprenticeships
working under various saddlemakers before setting up their own business.

8. SYMONDS ROOM
Symonds Saddlery was set up by Ray Symonds in 1986. Ray Sy-
monds has been making saddles in Walsall for over 45 years, as well
as fitting saddles for over 30. He set up Symonds saddlery having ac-
quired the knowledge and expertise of the trade at various saddlery
companies over the years.