Pioneer of Welfare
The welfare of staff, whether on the factory floor or in the offices, was very important to the management of the Raleigh Cycle Company. They strongly believed that a contented workforce would generally be more productive. From the early days of the company, provision was made for employees with a large staff area and canteen.
The new offices built on Lenton Boulevard were designed not only to provide first-class accommodation for clerical staff, but also a greater range of staff facilities. The ballroom was one such feature, with a sprung dance floor, cinema projection equipment and a stage for entertainments. 
By the 1930s, the Raleigh Athletic Club was well established and provided a wide range of sporting and recreational activities which could be enjoyed by all employees, including bridge, football, hockey and photography. The company had 13 acres of playing fields (later extended to 34) together with a cycle track and pavilions. It was believed that such activities would foster a ‘healthy team spirit’ and that ‘welfare [was] synonymous with progress’.
The company would also organise works outings, and the annual summer outing was hugely popular. It first took place in 1937 to celebrate the company's fiftieth anniversary, when special trains were hired to take everyone to Blackpool. Spending money was provided to employees, as well as a hot meal for each journey. It was still popular in the 1950s, when many took advantage of a day at the seaside to ride a donkey and paddle in the sea!
Health of staff was also important, and in this area Raleigh were somewhat of a pioneer. A surgery was established on site, staffed with fully-qualified nurses, to treat any employees as and when required. In 1936 Sir Harold Bowden presented the company with a convalescent home at Sutton-on-Sea for the use of employees.
In 1944 a new building for the Works Hospital was completed, and was one of the most up to date in the country. Its completion marked the finale of a social welfare and service scheme envisaged by management, into which they had invested £80,000.
