Goodall, Backhouse and Co
Manufacturing Chemists of Leeds, also producers of a range of products, including baking powder, mushroom ketchup, ginger beer powder and relishes.
1853 Robert Goodall went into business, setting up a chemists shop in Water Lane, Leeds
1858 Robert, in partnership with William Powell, his brother in law and chemist, and Henry Backhouse, another chemist, acquired the wholesale chemists business Bell and Brooke in Leeds.
1858 Changed name to present style.
Like many chemists in the area, the partners diversified into consumer goods.
1865 Introduced its "celebrated Yorkshire Relish", similar to Worcester sauce but fruitier and without anchovies.
1873 After the death of Robert Goodall, the firm stopped its retail activities and concentrated on sauce manufacturing and wholesaling of pharmaceuticals. The sauce won medals at international exhibitions.
1876 William Powell became sole proprietor after the death of Backhouse.
The success achieved by the company in building up the brand name meant that in the 1890s the company was prepared to take a rival sauce manufacturer to court to protect its brand. The Birmingham Vinegar Brewery had started to produce a sauce that it also called "Yorkshire Relish", but this was not to last, as eventually the House of Lords ruled that only Goodall, Backhouse was entitled to use the term "Yorkshire Relish". This case presents an example of how bottles were playing a role in brand development and maintenance.
1914 Wholesale druggists. Specialities: Yorkshire relish, household specialities. Employees 350. [1]
1922 Listed Exhibitor. Manufacturers of Yorkshire Relish, Goodall's Jelly Squares, Goodall's Jelly Crystals, Goodall's Egg, Baking and Custard Powders, Goodall's Salad Cream, Salad Oils, Essences, Spices, Seidlitz Powders, etc. (Stand No. B.71) [2]
1933 A separate company was established in Ireland to produce the sauce there.
1937 The pharmaceuticals business was spun off as Goodalls (Leeds) Ltd
1959 The business was sold to Hammonds Sauce Co of Shipley.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Birmingham Archaeology
- [2] Lets Look Again