Bishop & Woodward

The proprietors of Bishop & Woodward were Francis George Woodward and James Gracie Bishop. Both men were social and business leaders in Ipswich, and lived at Booval and East Ipswich respectively. Bishop was an Ipswich City Council alderman.

Bishop & Woodward began operating c1911. It was a private partnership at this point.

In 1911 when Qld Woollen Mills at North Ipswich decided to sell off their retail arm, Bishop & Woodward acquired it.  This involved dressmaking and tailoring. That year they had 150 staff, and by 1916 two hundred sewing machines in operation. Their business was located at the corner of East & Limestone Streets in the Ipswich & West Moreton Permanent Building Society (later Bendigo Bank) building. They were long term tenants of this building, until closure  of the business in 1958.

In 1912 Bishop & Woodward won a 3-year contract to supply uniforms made with Qld Woollen Manufacturing Company cloth for Qld Railway male workers. Later, the business would supply Australia's Defence Forces with uniforms.

After about 11 years in operation, Bishop & Woodward decided to float the company selling 50,000 shares at £1 per share. Their goal was just to stay in business as manufacturers, importers & exporters, agents, for clothing and general goods. Some of the staff became shareholders including: James Duce (storeman), Andrew Shewan (trimmer), Robert Cushing (shirt cutter), Thomas Napier, and Archibald Williamson.

During the 1920s and up to 1931 Bishop & Woodward had their own basketball club that played in local competitions.

One hundred staff were employed at the company in 1951. However, 30 workers had to be dismissed at the end of that year. Dwindling military uniform orders following the conclusion of World War II were blamed for lack of work. In order to avoid further staff lay-offs in 1952, the business introduced a four day week. The business closed in 1958.

Prior to becoming a business owner himself, Francis Woodward worked at Alexander Stewart & Sons.

During the 1940s Irvine Radio & Electrical Co., and Palings were located at 39 East Street, beside Bishop & Woodward.