Credenhill, since 1955
Seventy years. One thread.
The family company behind Daylong Direct and Daylong Shop has spent seventy years getting the right stocking to the person who needs it. Follow the thread from a London office in 1955 to a front door today.
1 April 1955
A supply service for elastic hosiery
Credenhill Limited was registered on 1 April 1955. From a small office at 49 Goodge Street, London, it sold compression stockings made in Nottingham, sent from stock by return of post.
A press cutting of the time called it what is claimed to be the first specialised supply service for elastic hosiery
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Autumn 1955
The salesman who stayed
That autumn Reg Grove joined as a salesman. He had trained as an electrician, then sold for an electrical wholesaler, before he applied for a sales role at Credenhill. He became a part-owner in the 1960s, and in the 1970s the Grove family bought the remaining shares. He led the company's growth for fifty years.
"My father's initial trade was an electrician, and from that he went on to become a salesperson for an electrical wholesaler."
1960s to 1976
North to Nottingham
In the 1960s the company moved to Old Town, Clapham, then to Stockwell. In 1976 it went north to 214 Queens Road, Beeston, near Nottingham. Compression stockings had been developed around Nottingham and Derby in the 19th century, and the move put Credenhill close to the manufacturers there who supplied it.
- Goodge Street London, 1955
- Old Town, Clapham 1960s
- Stockwell 1960s
- Beeston, Nottingham 1976
- Cossall, Ilkeston 1985 to today
1977
Paul arrives
Reg's son, Paul Grove, joined the business in 1977, the year after the move to Beeston. He is chief executive today, and the tie in his early photographs was every bit as wide as this one.
1960s to 1980s
Made to measure
Through the 1960s and 1970s Credenhill sold flat-knit made-to-measure stockings from suppliers around Nottingham and Derby. Later it worked with a supplier in the West Country to introduce a circular-knit made-to-measure stocking, which became available on prescription. When that manufacturer closed, Credenhill introduced its own range, Credalast. A garment only helps if it fits.
1981
Sent to the door
Barbara Grove started Daylong Supports, a mail-order service for people who wanted extra stockings after a healthcare professional had recommended them. The Daylong name starts here.
1985
Able to dispense
Credenhill became a Dispensing Appliance Contractor, able to dispense NHS prescriptions, and moved to Unit 10, Cossall Industrial Estate, Ilkeston. In the 1980s the accounts moved from an accounts machine to the company's first IBM computer.
The 1990s
Fit is everything
A garment only helps if it fits and is worn. Credalast Classic brought made-to-measure hosiery, and the Arion application aid, one of the early aids of its kind, helped people put their garments on and get the full benefit from them.
2000 to 2016
Care you can order from home
The Daylong website opened, so people could buy and reorder a wide range of compression stockings from home. Credenhill kept adding to its range of compression garments, became UK distributor for several European manufacturers, marked fifty years in 2005, and in 2016 moved into new offices on Cossall Industrial Estate.
2017
Speed. Accuracy. Choice.
Rob Holder joined as Managing Director in 2017, and the business relaunched around three words.
March 2020
Still delivering
When lockdown came, Daylong kept delivering prescription compression hosiery to people's homes. Demand doubled the business, and in 2021 it began trading under the name Daylong Direct.
2022 to 2025
Straight to the door
Measured in clinic, a patient can have their garment at home within 48 hours. Thousands of prescriptions go out every month, and since 2025 CompressED has trained the nurses who measure and fit.
"We constantly get letters from people saying, I'm so glad that you helped me, that it's changed my life."
April 2025
Seventy years
The company turned seventy with a celebration party for the whole team, and the anniversary stand carried one line: 70 years at the heart of leg health.
"The biggest benefit that I get from being involved in the business is to see how we really help people."
Seventy years of care, knowledge and clinical trust
We CARE
Together we make care happen.
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Customer
Customer is at the heart of all we do.
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Authentic
We do what's right openly and honestly.
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Respect
We value every person and every role.
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Expertise
We bring specialist knowledge for better outcomes.
Pick up the thread
Two websites carry the story on. Choose the one that's for you.
Daylong Direct
For healthcare professionals, NHS prescriptions and trade. Prescription compression delivered to patients' homes, sizing guidance and CompressED training.
daylongdirect.co.uk
Daylong Shop
For anyone buying compression for themselves: socks, stockings, tights and application aids, delivered to your door.
daylong.co.uk