Home / History / 1974-2001
In 1974 Barbour received the first Royal Warrant by the Duke of Edinburgh. The beginning of the 80’s saw the design of many current Barbour classics - the Bedale (short lightweight thornproof short riding jacket) the Border and the Beaufort jacket. It was the lightweight Border jacket that epitomised the growing trend of the 1980’s for smart casualwear as more and more people began to wear Barbour for general everyday activities.
In August 1981, Barbour moved into a new factory in Simonside. In 1982, Barbour received the second Royal Warrant by Her Majesty the Queen and in 1987, the third Royal Warrant was awarded by HRH the Prince of Wales.
In 1988, The Barbour Trust was set up to support local and national projects dealing with a variety of community issues including welfare, health, homelessness and unemployment as well as donating funds to support international disasters such as the recent Tsunami tragedy. The Trust also continues to be a substantial benefactor in the local North East community, and has invested significantly in projects such as the Alnwick Gardens, Laing Art Gallery and The Sage Gateshead, a magnificent landmark building on Newcastle’s Quayside which symbolizes the region’s regeneration and provides a magnificent concert and music venue.
During the early 1990’s the business continued to expand internationally. Barbour won three Queens Awards for Export Achievement in 1992, 1994 and 1995. During the 1990’s, the company began to build a far wider and comprehensive country clothing collection for men and women moving into breathable waterproofs alongside the established wax jackets and introduced a wider range of colours including navy and sandstone alongside the traditional olive and sage.
Margaret’s daughter Helen Barbour was made Deputy Chairman in 1997 and in 1999, the first Barbour ‘shop in shop’ opened in Harrods.