Coles Printery Ltd - Bridgetown

Cole’s Printery Limited was established in 1865 as a small family owned printing business. Now in its fifth generation of management, Cole’s remains a successful Barbadian company.

In the mid 1860s the larger trading companies in Bridgetown had their own small printing departments. These inefficient and expensive departments were necessary to produce the business stationery. With the advent of steam powered cargo ships, it became possible for businesses to order their stationery from Britain as delivery times to Barbados were now shortened.

It was at this time that Frederick Cole, then employed as a printer with one of these companies, bought up as much of the printing equipment as he could. Fred named his company Cole’s Printery and opened his doors to all customers. Years  

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later Charles Frederick Cole inherited the business from his father Fred and expanded it making a name for the company by publishing the works of Edward Cordle and other social commentators of the time. He also founded the newspaper The Barbados Recorder and introduced The Handy Barbados Diary, while continuing the job printing section.