A Proud Textile Heritage
Tewkesbury was once famous for its stocking-knitting industry, with hundreds of frames operating in the town during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Just to the south, the Stroud valleys became one of England's most important centres for woollen cloth, supplying fabric for military uniforms, sportswear and fine tailoring. This heritage lives on today in a new generation of Gloucestershire textile businesses combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
From performance fabrics used on snooker tables around the world to silk printing near Tewkesbury and branded workwear for local businesses, the region's textile sector is diverse and innovative.
What Makes the Local Textile Sector Distinctive
Gloucestershire textile companies tend to focus on quality, specialism and design rather than mass production. Many serve niche international markets, while others support local businesses with customised garments and furnishing fabrics. Sustainability, traceability and British manufacturing are increasingly important selling points.
The Top 10 Textile Manufacturers Serving Tewkesbury
1. WSP Textiles
Based in Stroud, WSP Textiles specialises in performance fabrics for snooker, pool and tennis. Its cloths are used in professional competitions worldwide, continuing the Stroud valleys' long tradition of high-quality woollen manufacturing.
2. Beckford Silk
Located near Tewkesbury, Beckford Silk specialises in silk fabrics and printing. It is known for scarves, ties and bespoke silk products, combining creative design with skilled craftsmanship.
3. Attwoolls Manufacturing
Attwoolls Manufacturing in Whitminster, near Gloucester, produces bespoke textile products including covers, marquees and canvas goods. Its technical expertise supports customers in agriculture, events and industry.
4. Lewis and Wood
Stroud-based Lewis and Wood designs and prints fabrics and wallpapers celebrated for their distinctive English style. Its designs appear in homes and interiors projects around the world.
5. Parker and Jules
Parker and Jules is a Stroud-based design business creating luxury fabrics and wallpapers. It reflects Gloucestershire's growing reputation for creative interiors textiles.
6. QC Custom Clothing
QC Custom Clothing is based in Tewkesbury and serves businesses throughout Gloucestershire and Worcestershire with branded clothing, embroidery and printing. Local companies rely on it for uniforms and promotional garments.
7. Smarter Textiles Ltd
Smarter Textiles in Gloucester provides garment embroidery and printing services, helping organisations create professional uniforms and branded merchandise.
8. Jaslyn Embroidery and Print
Jaslyn Embroidery and Print, also operating as Workwear Gloucester, supplies and decorates workwear, including polo shirts, hi-vis clothing and jackets, for trades and businesses.
9. Cotswold Woollen Weavers
Cotswold Woollen Weavers is a working mill on the edge of the Cotswolds, producing woollen fabrics, throws and accessories while celebrating the region's historic wool trade.
10. Superdry
Cheltenham-headquartered Superdry is an internationally recognised clothing brand. While its garments are produced through global supply chains, its design and product development presence makes it a major name in the county's textile and fashion landscape.
Trends in the Textile Industry
Sustainability is reshaping textiles, with growing demand for natural fibres, recycled materials and low-impact dyes. Digital printing allows short runs and personalised designs with less waste. Technical textiles, used in sport, healthcare and industry, represent a fast-growing segment. Consumers and businesses are also placing greater value on British-made products with transparent supply chains.
Benefits of Working With Local Textile Manufacturers
Partnering with local suppliers offers shorter lead times, easier communication and the ability to visit production facilities. Smaller manufacturers are often more flexible with order quantities and customisation. Local production can also reduce transport emissions and support Gloucestershire's economy.
How to Choose a Textile Partner
Consider the type of product you need, from technical fabrics to printed garments. Request samples to assess quality, ask about minimum order quantities and lead times, and discuss sustainability credentials. For branded clothing, check embroidery and print quality, durability after washing and the range of garments available.
The Future of Textiles in Gloucestershire
With a blend of heritage mills, creative design studios and responsive workwear specialists, the region is well positioned to thrive. Investment in digital technology and sustainable processes will help local businesses compete internationally while preserving the craftsmanship that has defined Gloucestershire textiles for centuries.
Textiles and the Local Business Community
Textile manufacturers play a surprisingly important role in Tewkesbury's wider business community. Hospitality venues around the abbey and along the riverside rely on branded uniforms and quality soft furnishings to create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Engineering firms on the Northway and Ashchurch estates need durable, safety-compliant workwear with embroidered logos, while schools, sports clubs and charities order customised garments throughout the year. Agricultural and event businesses depend on technical canvas products such as covers, marquees and awnings designed to withstand the English weather. Interior designers and homeowners restoring period properties seek fabrics that reflect the character of historic buildings, often choosing prints and weaves designed in the Cotswolds. This breadth of demand supports a healthy mix of large specialists and small independent makers, each bringing distinctive skills. Buying locally also allows customers to see samples in person, discuss ideas face to face and build long-term relationships with suppliers who understand their needs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you need luxury furnishing fabric, bespoke silk, technical canvas or branded workwear, the textile businesses serving Tewkesbury offer quality and expertise. Their work continues a proud tradition that stretches back to the stocking frames of Tewkesbury and the cloth mills of the Stroud valleys.
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