Why did Durex set up shop in Knutsford?

January 8, 2006 10:36 PM

Yesterday I noticed something on the back of a condom wrapper, namely the address of the International Head Office of Durex: Canute Court, Toft Road Knutsford, Cheshire What I want to know is how did a condom manufacturer end up in Knutsford. Was it by chance or did they choose to set up shop there because of the name?
posted by Kattullus to grab bag (19 comments total)

Hmmm... the formatting was off. The address is:

Canute Court, Toft Road
Knutsford, Cheshire.
posted by Kattullus at 10:37 PM on January 8, 2006

Durex company history
posted by frogan at 10:59 PM on January 8, 2006

If they were looking for something intentionally funny there's much better options.

For example: Intercourse, PA
posted by saraswati at 10:59 PM on January 8, 2006

Or fucking, austria
posted by growabrain at 11:15 PM on January 8, 2006

frogan: Nothing about Knutsford

saraswati & growabrain: If they wanted to go all out they could have moved over the Channel to France and put their headquarters in Condom.
posted by Kattullus at 11:17 PM on January 8, 2006

Most of these would be fitting.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:35 PM on January 8, 2006

This doesn't answer your question exactly, but Canute is the modern English equivalent of Knut.

Interestingly, Knutsford doesn't appear hereanywhere, so you could be on to something.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:44 AM on January 9, 2006

What's the expiry date on that wrapper? This 2004 article says they "pulled out of" Knutsford.
posted by teg at 1:33 AM on January 9, 2006

Do Nuts mean balls in the UK?
posted by A189Nut at 2:04 AM on January 9, 2006

"So, where shall we set up our Internation Headquarters?"
"How about Knutsford - that's sure to give some college kids a laugh."
"Good idea!"

(The above is fictitious and possibly not how it happened at all...)
posted by benzo8 at 2:24 AM on January 9, 2006

Best option : Condom, France.
posted by XiBe at 4:17 AM on January 9, 2006

Most of these would be fitting.

They're too tight for me, sorry.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:51 AM on January 9, 2006

Sorry, I don't understand the question. What's so special/unusual about Knutsford?
posted by salmacis at 5:43 AM on January 9, 2006

Do Nuts mean balls in the UK?

yep
posted by twistedonion at 5:56 AM on January 9, 2006

salamacis: Knutsford could be read as equivalent to Sementown. Sorry.
posted by voidcontext at 6:56 AM on January 9, 2006

This is bollocks.
posted by kindall at 8:22 AM on January 9, 2006

As a fine upstanding Knutsford resident, I feel strongly about our towns performance in the sexual arena.

Durex coming to town, and indeed, their residency, provided much mirth and merriment to all - more so because the actual offices are tiny.

The climax of their occupation and subsequent elopement to that slut of an office whore location, Trafford Park (and *everyone* knows what went on there, don't they *nudge-nudge-wink-wink-say-no-more*) meant that Knutsfords' loss was of course, Trafford Parks gain - but Knutsford has such a nicer class of people don't you know?

Besides, Beckham et al are only 15 minutes away in Alderley Edge, and Wilmslow being the haunt of many a Pussy Posse meant that surely their sales must have been pricked somewhat. arf arf. (Oh, and a *Fnarr Fnarr* while I'm at it)

Seriously - they bailed when the rent went through the roof compared to TP's new developments; growing in size was most likely a factor as well. They did originally have two locations, the larger being at Toft Hall - a large stately type building that has had a chequered past rental wise due to its' size and cost - As to *why* they were there in the first place, Seton-Scholl (footwear stuff) merged with SSL Int. (Durex) and they all lived happily in Knutsford, taking Seton Scholls offices...
posted by DrtyBlvd at 12:10 PM on January 9, 2006

Knutsford Scabby Women

To most people in the UK, Knutsford is known for having a service station* on the M6** (as referenced in the link).

* rest stop
** M6=Motorway=Freeway. Like I-80.
posted by i_cola at 12:57 PM on January 9, 2006

Thanks DrtyBlvd! I was half expecting no one to have the answer, but there it is! Thanks a million for sating my idle curiosity.

Teg: Thanks for the article. I laughed like a person possessed at the sentence "[Durex] has pulled out of its plush offices in Knutsford." Something about the word "plush" just sent me over the edge. And the condoms expire in June 2009 (and no, I didn't just know that off the top of my head, I went and checked :) )
posted by Kattullus at 3:05 PM on January 9, 2006