The Luton Hat Trade, a Brief History

Here is a brief snapshot of a fascinating period in Luton history. It is difficult to imagine today that Luton was once the world centre of the Hat Industry, but for centuries that is exactly what it was. There was hardly a street that did not have a hat makers or someone connected to the hat trade in it. There was Olney's who manufactured straw Boaters, Lane's, who were the block makers that made the wooden blocks that hats went onto. Brightman's in Bute Street and Snoxell's in Frederick Street. A & C Simson of Guildford Street. As the hat industry crashed, one after another these business closed as the trade that had survived fire and famine, embargoes and even Napoleon's blockades slowly changed into a university town.

Age old traditions taught to children before they could run, disappeared too. Legend tells that once there were more hat businesses in Luton than days of the year. 366 businesses from large factories to outworker combines plaiting straw for boaters.

Here for the first time world renowned author Alex Askaroff brings Luton's history back to life with actual stories from hat makers and much more. Come on little journey and discover why some people really were as 'mad as a hatter'.