Lloyd, Workman, and Co.

LLOYD, WORKMAN, & Co., Plumbers, Lead Merchants, Gasfitting and Sanitary Engineers, 122, Renfield Street, Glasgow.

    In this age of scientific and industrial progress, few branches of knowledge have been more sedulously cultivated than the important department represented by Messrs. Lloyd, Workman, and Co., the eminent firm of Plumbers, Lead Merchants, Gas fitting and Sanitary Engineers, 122, Renfield Street, Glasgow, whose extensive and successful business supplies the data for this brief sketch.

    Established in 1880 by the above-named gentleman, the business soon outgrew the proportions of the premises, then located in Dundas Street ; and with characteristic enterprise the proprietor removed to more commodious quarters in Renfield Street, the site now occupied by the firm. This includes a spacious double-fronted shop, well and conveniently appointed, and fully adapted to the business operations of the firm.

    Here may be inspected a large and comprehensive stock of gas-fittings and every description of plumbers’ requisites in all the most improved modern patterns, and a great variety of sanitary appliances, &c. The special feature of the business is to be found in the supply of gas and limelight fittings and effects for theatres and places of amusement, for which Mr. Workman has established a deservedly high reputation, and in connection with this branch of the trade has been favoured with the orders for work of this character for the principal theatres in the Provinces.

    Amongst the establishments which have enjoyed the benefits of his professional skill in this direction may be mentioned the Royalty, Princesses’, and Grand Theatres, Glasgow ; the Theatres Royal, Manchester and Edinburgh; and Her Majesty’s Theatre, Carlisle — some of Mr. Workman’s most recent achievements in this department having been undertaken under the direction of that eminent entrepreneur, Mr. Augustus Harris, the distinguished proprietor of Drury Lane Theatre. We may also instance the fact that Mr. Workman has just completed the fitting-up of the Gaiety Theatre, Glasgow, which has been undergoing a thorough process of renovation and restoration consequent upon a change in the proprietorship ; and so gratifying has been the success of this gentleman’s skill that he has received the permanent appointment to the important position of gas engineer to the establishment.

    Nor do these records fully exhaust the resources of ingenuity possessed by the subject of our sketch, who has, within the past few months, invented and patented an ingenious contrivance entitled the “Air Vent Valve”, which, as its title indicates, is an appliance for regulating the supply of air to beer barrels, allowing the liquor to be pumped freely at the bar, and by an automatic movement admitting just sufficient air to the cask to compensate for the displacement in the barrel. This invention has, in consequence of more pressing business engagements, not been so freely submitted to public notice as its merits deserve, but the “Air Vent Valve” has, nevertheless, gained considerable favour with the leading members of the trade in the district, and meets with the unqualified approval of those best able to judge its many advantages.

    In conclusion, we would add that the business is capably and energetically managed in every department under the entire personal supervision of the proprietor, whose unremitting efforts to afford the utmost satisfaction to those who favour him with their orders have gained for this undertaking a substantial and well-deserved commercial success.

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