1 Brian Barrett
Posted
I worked at Park Mill for Garner Prestwich Ltd from 1964vto 1972.
The operation moved there from Broughton Road shed abt 1958 following a fire attributed to the Barlick arsonist who was never found.
The weaving shed had 180 looms both jacquard and dobby looms and specialised in ladies dress wear some of it destined for the top London merchants. The company amalgamated with James Stocks and John Knox both of Silsden about 1972 and manufacturing was moved there but in the end the whole business closed. Some of the machinery and a few employees moved but most were made redundant Inc Raymond Barrett, my father,who was works Manager from 1949 to 1972.
GP was the only weaver in Skipton with jacquard looms about 1/3 of the looms including French Verdol machines which had scope to produce fabrics of 200 threads per inch. The frontage which remains had the offices, piece room for examination and the top floor 3rd the looming and twisting room. Happy days there.