A century old tradition has been kept alive in Blackburn thanks to a team of skilled and committed workers.
The Yarn Dyers of Blackburn based on Grimshaw Park Dyeworks, Haslingden Road offers a range of services to the textile industry and is one of the last surviving businesses of its kind.
The phoenix company was established following the closure of 107-year-old Blackburn Yarn Dyers, which this summer went into voluntary liquidation.
The firm had closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 but never reopened, with the loss of 20 jobs.
The ancient method of weaving and textile manufacturing sees spools of yarns dyed before fabric is woven.
Anthony Green, who worked at the company, realised there was still demand for this unique service and set up ‘The Yarn Dyers of Blackburn’ at the same site.
He said: “I was brought up in Blackburn and then moved to Somerset following the closure of the company.
“But if I am going to be honest, I couldn’t stay away and now commute back to Blackburn from Sunday to Wednesday each week to manage the new company.
“We are based at the same location and we offer a range of unique services to the industry.”
Alongside Anthony are five employees from the old firm, three of whome have more than 30 years experience in the industry.
The company boasts eleven dye tanks and can dye between 1kg and 600kg dye batches and also offers colour matching services.
Blackburn Yarn Dyers (BYD), based on Grimshaw Park Dye Works, Haslingden Road went into voluntary liquidation following a general meeting held at the Shadsworth Business Park.
It was one of Blackburn’s oldest companies first established in 1915.
Mr Green began as an apprentice at the Grimshaw Park Dyeworks site 20 years ago and said it was important that the century old traditions and skills continued to flourish despite modernisation.
He said: “It is quite unique to Blackburn and to the county as a whole. We are the only firm its kind in the town and there only a few remaining businesses like ours still left.
“We have a solid customer base and in Lancashire, Yorkshire and other parts of the UK. This also extends to Europe.
“The service we provide is important for UK textiles and fabric makers as there are few yarn dyers still in existence.
“We have found the demand for a local textile services like ours has gone up due to Brexit and Covid. It looks like Yarm dyers had disappeared but opportunities have arisen.”
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