Page 80 - History-of-flooringLR

David Millard, Managing Director of Millers 1893, provides an interesting
insight into the historic journey of his family’s flooring business

For almost 130 years, Millers has managed a diverse portfolio of products and
enjoyed a client base that has included Government, Trade and residential
customers. As we have developed and grown, the history of the business has
become our driving force and we are now proud to be recognised as leaders
in our field in Scotland.

Our business concept is simple. We strive to not only offer luxury products, but
to share with our clients our expert knowledge and exceptional craftsmanship.

As a family business spanning four generations, there have undoubtedly been
challenging periods. We have experienced two World Wars, pandemics and
financial crises and are, therefore, very thankful that we remain able to realise
the vision of our Great Grandfather as we expand and look to the future, even
Waterloo Place
in these challenging times.

Our Great Grandfather, William John Millard, was born in 1860 in
Bethnal Green, London. In an 1871 Census of England, William was
registered as a ‘Pauper Inmate’ but, despite his humble beginnings,
his desire to succeed was clearly unwaivering and so the journey of
our family business began.

By 1881, at the age of 21, William was a commercial traveller, moving to
Manchester from his original roots in London, and then to Newcastle,
before setting up companies in Edinburgh and later in Glasgow.

In a bid to be more accepted north of the border, William adopted the
surname ‘Miller’, a name which was originally found in Dumfriesshire
in Scotland.
In 1893, William founded Millers Carpets in Waterloo Place in the
Scottish Capital and, by 1901, had set up Millers Linoleum Stores in
Bridgeton Cross in Glasgow’s East End. After initially renting premises,
the business purchased land in 1913 in Charles Street, Glasgow (now
Olympia Street), on which was constructed a purpose-built
warehouse. The property is still owned today by the Group and is
Charles Street
home to our Millers 1893 Trade Showroom.

Our Grandfather, Albert Millard, joined
William in the business in 1910 and,
following William’s death in 1929, the
legacy of Millers Linoleum Stores was
passed to Albert, with his step-
mother, Ellen Elizabeth Millard
(Brewster), inheriting Millers Carpets.
Following in his late father’s footsteps,
in 1930, Albert expanded Millers Family
Linoleum Stores into Edinburgh’s Leith
Walk, from where he managed a
successful business for 30 years. In Portrait
1964, upon our Grandfather’s death,
the business was passed to his sons,
Albert and Leonard.

80 The History of Flooring