Top 10 Best Textile Manufacturers in Burnley

Burnley's Proud Textile Heritage

In the late nineteenth century, Burnley was one of the largest producers of cotton cloth on the planet, with tens of thousands of looms operating in mills along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The Weavers' Triangle, a remarkably preserved collection of mills, warehouses, and engine houses, still stands as a reminder of this era. Queen Street Mill in Harle Syke, one of the last surviving steam-powered weaving mills in the world, continues to showcase the machinery and skills that once clothed millions.

While mass production largely moved overseas during the twentieth century, textile manufacturing never fully disappeared from East Lancashire and the neighbouring Pennine valleys. Today, a smaller but highly specialised industry thrives, focusing on premium quality, technical fabrics, heritage design, and sustainable production. Growing interest in British-made goods and reshoring has renewed attention on the region's capabilities.

What Sets Modern Northern Textile Makers Apart

Today's leading textile manufacturers compete on quality, craftsmanship, and specialisation rather than volume. Many combine traditional skills with modern technology, producing fabrics for fashion houses, furniture brands, uniforms, and technical applications. Shorter supply chains, traceability, and environmental responsibility are major selling points for brands seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and support local industry.

The Top 10 Textile Manufacturers In and Around Burnley

1. John Spencer Textiles

John Spencer Textiles is one of Burnley's longest-standing weaving businesses, continuing a family tradition that stretches back generations. It produces woven fabrics for fashion, interiors, and technical uses, and it is celebrated as a living link to the town's weaving heritage while embracing modern production methods.

2. Brisbane Moss

Located in nearby Todmorden, Brisbane Moss is renowned for its cotton corduroys, moleskins, and drills. Its fabrics are used by leading fashion and tailoring brands worldwide, and the company is a respected ambassador for Pennine textile manufacturing.

3. Standfast and Barracks

Based in Lancaster, Standfast and Barracks is one of the UK's leading fabric printers. It prints for prestigious interior and fashion brands and combines traditional expertise with digital printing technologies.

4. English Fine Cottons

English Fine Cottons revived cotton spinning in the North West, producing premium yarns from a restored mill near Manchester. Its work has been celebrated as a symbol of the return of cotton spinning to its historic heartland.

5. Abraham Moon and Sons

Abraham Moon and Sons is one of the last vertical woollen mills in Britain, handling every stage from raw wool to finished cloth in West Yorkshire. Its fabrics are used in fashion, accessories, and upholstery around the world.

6. AW Hainsworth

AW Hainsworth is a historic textile manufacturer famous for ceremonial uniform cloth, protective fabrics, and interior textiles. Its expertise in technical and flame-resistant materials makes it a leader in performance fabrics.

7. Camira Fabrics

Camira designs and manufactures contract upholstery fabrics for offices, transport, and public spaces. It is known for innovative sustainable fibres, including materials made from wool, hemp, and recycled content.

8. Laxtons

Laxtons is a Yorkshire yarn spinner producing woollen and blended yarns for knitwear and weaving. It supports designers and brands seeking traceable, British-made yarns.

9. Hield Brothers

Hield Brothers produces luxury worsted suiting cloth for tailors and fashion houses. Its heritage and quality have earned it a strong reputation in bespoke tailoring markets.

10. Lantor UK

Lantor UK, based in the North West, manufactures nonwoven and technical textiles used in construction, composites, and industrial applications. It represents the growing importance of technical textiles to the regional economy.

Trends Shaping the Textile Industry

Sustainability is driving major change. Brands increasingly demand organic, recycled, and traceable materials, along with reduced water and chemical use. Reshoring and nearshoring have grown as businesses seek shorter, more resilient supply chains. Technical textiles for healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and construction offer significant growth, aligning well with Burnley's advanced manufacturing strengths. Digital printing and automation are improving flexibility and reducing waste.

There is also rising consumer interest in heritage and provenance. Shoppers value products with a story, and fabrics woven in historic Lancashire and Pennine mills carry authentic appeal.

Skills and the Future Workforce

One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is skills. Many experienced weavers, tuners, and technicians are approaching retirement. Industry bodies, colleges, and manufacturers are working to attract younger people through apprenticeships and training programmes. Heritage sites like Queen Street Mill also play a role in inspiring interest in textile careers.

Visiting Burnley's Textile Heritage

For anyone interested in the history of textile manufacturing, Burnley offers unique experiences. The Weavers' Triangle along the canal has been the focus of major regeneration, with historic mill buildings finding new life as homes, offices, education facilities, and leisure venues. Queen Street Mill allows visitors to hear the thunder of hundreds of working looms powered by a steam engine, offering a vivid sense of what working life was like for generations of Burnley weavers. These heritage sites not only attract visitors but also help designers, students, and brands connect with the authentic story behind Lancashire cloth, strengthening the appeal of fabrics made in the region today.

Final Thoughts

Burnley's textile story is far from over. From heritage weavers keeping traditional skills alive to innovative producers of technical and sustainable fabrics, the region continues to contribute to global textiles. The manufacturers above demonstrate how quality, craftsmanship, and innovation can keep this historic industry thriving for generations to come.