Local business and trade
Walker-Cain/Peter Walker Brewers, Crawford Biscuit Factory, architect Edmund Kirby & Sons, Ogden-Imperial Tobacco (with many of their famous cigarette cards), chartered accountants and cultural institutions such as the Playhouse.
Liverpool’s long history of trading with international ports earned it the reputation as the ‘Second City of the Empire’ during the 19th century, it was a centre for commerce, immigration and emigration. Cotton began being imported in Liverpool during the 18th century, by the 19th century it was a major import, with the cotton goods made in Lancashire mills becoming a significant export. Brokers from many countries settled in Liverpool to trade in Liverpool Cotton Exchange. The records of the Liverpool Cotton Association, now the International Cotton Association Ltd (reference 380 COT) are among the many business records held in Liverpool Record Office.