Empress Motor Car and Aviation Co Ltd

As well as manufacturing motor cars the company also explored the early craze for flying, it received a request to build an aeroplane for a wealthy customer. Charles Fletcher, Manager of the company accepted the order and set about building the aircraft to his own design. It was tested in 1910 at the Manchester Race Course however, the aircraft only managed short hops across the course and as a consequence no further aircraft were built.

The company was also responsible for introducing John Alcock to flying, he joined the company in 1908 as an apprentice and continued to work for the company until 1911.