Description:Jen Shoes Ltd factory on Rowley Street. The building was still in use as the Hollins Business Centre in 2002.
The company was founded when William Jennings opened a shoe and boot warehouse on Market Square in 1852. The warehouse moved to premises in St. Chad's Passage in 1868 (now renamed St. Chad's Place).
The business suffered in late 1860s and the Market Square premises were sold between 1872 and 1876 due to bankruptcy. In 1894 the company became a shoe wholesaler and ceased to trade as a manufacturer c.1915.
In 1933 the premises on St. Chad's Passage became inadequate and business moved to an old factory on Marsh Street. The company name changed to Jen Shoes Ltd. in 1959. Additional warehouses were also opened in Birmingham and Hanley.
The Stafford warehouse moved to Castlefields, Newport Road in 1963. In 1979 Jen ceased extensive retail trading and returned to the wholesale business.
In 1983 Jen International was founded, as was a branded division, Reflex Performance Sportshoes, five years later.