What started in the 1890s by T N Barber, as a one-man business making mineral waters, was later acquired by Edward Carter. The original premises, between top and middle twitchells was a small, 2-story brick building dating back to the early/mid-19th century and originally used as a lace workshop. After the first world war the business was bought out by A. J. (Tony) Marmont, after which it grew steadily until its premises occupied a large part of the old village.
In the late 1990s even this area was becoming too confined, and Carters moved to a greenfield site at Kegworth. The Sawley factory was demolished in 2000 and its site became a residential development ‘Churchfields’.
Carters had a local rival in the 1930s – Cowburns Mineral Water factory of Grosvenor Avenue.
Albert James Marmont (1886-1968) was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where he became the manager of the mineral water department of the Stroud Brewery Company. He was called up to the army in 1916 and served with the Royal Army Service Corps in East Africa.
After the war he moved to Sawley, where he lodged with Annie Smith with 3 other professional men at 11 Town Street.
In 1929 he married Mabel Eliza (May) Stevenson of Netherleigh, 102 Nottingham Road. They had two children. They later lived at Harrington Park, Derby Road, Long Eaton.
