What are your memories of working for Barbour in South Shields?

People from all over the world can thank garment workers in South Shields for providing them with a touch of class when it comes to fashionable and hard-wearing clothing.

By The Newsroom

Published 1st Feb 2017, 09:53 BST- 1 min read

Updated 1st Feb 2017, 13:21 BST

J Barbour and Sons' new factory at Simonside. in August 1957.

That’s because they are customers of J Barbour & Sons, a company which has seen its products become the number one choice of fashion-conscious customers both near and far.

Yet despite the phenomenal popularity of the brand, Barbour jackets, and associated clothing items, still retain an exclusivity that appeals to young and old alike.

It's March 1983 and pictured at Barbour's factory are, left to right, Dave Rennick (factory manager), Margaret Babour (Chairman) and Malcolm Sutherland (managing director).

But what about the people who make the clothes?

Over the years, thousands of people have worked for the company – were you one of them?

What are your memories of working at the company’s factories and of the colleagues you had?

One of today’s pictures, taken in 1957, shows Barbour’s “new factory” at Simonside. Were you one of the first people to step foot through the door?

Employees of J Barbour and Sons Ltd and Monkton cokeworks taking part in a 125-mile sponsored relay race to raise money for North of Egland Children's Cancer Research Fund. Pictured left to right are: Joe Hardy (Monkton cokeworks), Alan Phillipson (Barbours), Ossie Sahar (Babours), and Brian Helm (Barbours).

What can you tell me about the other pictures?

Please get in touch with your recollections.

Also please let me know of any other subjects you’d like to see featured in the Gazette’s daily Facebook photo from the past.