Guided walking tour of SIr John Barran's Leeds

FMJ's sister is married to one of countless (well, more than a few - the first John Barran had ten children and they went on to reproduce prolifically) great-grand-children of Sir John Barran, five of whom were among the group on today's tour, recognising 200 years since his birth on 3 August 1821. 

Barran arrived in Leeds from London when 21, established a clothes retailing business (his corner shop on Briggate, up from Leeds bridge, anticipated those of Hepworth and Burton at the same junction - now all gone) and soon innovated manufacuring methods for mass produced ready-made clothing. 

St Paul's House, Park Square, (illustrated) was one of his factory/warehouses built to an extraordinary standard of decoration and consideration for the working conditions for staff, all of whom could use the company canteen, for example. He even reduced the weekly hours for female staff from 72 hours to 56 hours 30 minutes.

He was a long-time councillor, alderman and one time mayor of Leeds who aquired Roundhay park for the citizens and developed public transport to that open space. He was also a Liberal MP for Leeds and, subsequently, Otley.

Sir John had a combination of enterprising energy, long-term vision, sound judgement (possibly helped by his Baptist faith and life-long temperance), public spirit, political influence/power and wealth. This combination, together with the benefit of a long life, enabled him to make a significant mark on the development of the economic and public life of Leeds.