The Symingtons Building

It was a cold and grey day in Market Harborough today. So here is a grey building made of red brick. The Symington Building was at the heart of the economy of Market Harborough back in the day and at the heart of the Symingtons (eventually) world-wide enterprise. Large windows let in ample light for the corset-makers to work by and, from humble beginnings (as they say) in the first half of the 19th century, the company grew.

The invention of the Liberty Bodice in 1908 and the 'Avro' and 'Liberty" foundation garment (it says on a website I've just looked at)  in the 1920s and 30s made Symington's a household name. It now houses the Council Offices, a café, the museum and an ice-cream parlour.

This shot was taken from the wonderfully-named Adam and Eve Street. (Blimey, they would have been chilly today)