ESSE gets its ‘premier’ with Roger Moore

Smith & Wellstood was acquired by the Ashby family who owned the Ouzledale Foundry Company in Barnoldswick, Lancashire. They expanded the range of products with the Firemaster brand of open fires and dog grates. Each cooking range and stove was - and still is - hand built by skilled craftsmen at the foundry, using traditional methods.

It was at this time that an ESSE range cooker achieved its screen debut, appearing with Special Agent 007 James Bond in a 'View to a Kill.'