Staff and guests toast 175 years

BIRTHDAY toast:directors John Gallagher (left), with his grand-daughter Izzy Wharfe, and Clive Newton

Celebration time for Oldham’s oldest firm

MORE than 250 people celebrated the 175th birthday of Oldham’s oldest firm.

Staff and guests of Emanuel Whittaker partied in a marquee at the firm’s head office in Oldham Road.

Emanuel Whittaker, Mayor of Oldham in 1873, established the building and manufacturing joinery company on its present site in 1837. His father, George, was also a master builder and built Oldham Lyceum and many local cotton mills.

In 1849, Emanuel was the first person in Oldham to have steam-driven sawing and woodworking machinery. He won his first contract for a cotton mill in 1853 and also built Oldham Coliseum.

The firm celebrated its centenary in 1937, which also marked the 70th birthday of Frank Whittaker – son of Emanuel — who carried on the family firm which counts the late Eric Sykes among its past employees.

The company remained in family hands until 2004, when Clive Newton and fellow director John Gallagher, who had both worked there since leaving school, bought the business.

There remains a Whittaker connection in Anna Whittaker, the great-great-grand-daughter of the founder, who is company secretary.

Anna, who attended the party with her two sons, said: “We are all so proud to be part of such an historic company and the celebration has been fantastic.”

The company is holding a year of events to mark its 175th.








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