Soapmaking was one of Bristol's earliest industries and soapboilers were at work in the city at least as far back as the twelfth century.

Because it was mainly a cottage industry, there are few official records of activity, although the Bristol Record Office does hold the papers of the Company of Soapmakers from 1562 to 1642. The Society of Soapers of Westminster imposed restrictions on Bristol in the early seventeenth century, deciding how much soap could be produced in total in the city and where it could be sold, resulting in a fall in production.



Manufacturing soap c 1750.

The original Bristol soap was usually grey or black. At one time only olive oil had been used in its manufacture but increasing competition led to the need to include cheaper ingredients such as whale, rape and tallow oil.



Advertising material for Christopher Thomas and Brothers.

By the nineteenth century, Bristol's soapmaking industry was dominated by two companies: Fripp and Company, established 1745, and Christopher Thomas and Brothers Ltd, established around 1824 (both firms regularly changed their names as new partners joined and others left). The two merged in 1841. Soap Duty was abolished in 1853 and this enabled the company to expand its works at Broad Plain and to introduce innovative mechanised production techniques.



Advertising material for Christopher Thomas and Brothers.

The family firm was sold to its competitor Lever Brothers in 1912. Production continued at Broad Plain until 1953 when the works were closed.