Blackburn
2.5M spindles by 1870; 8B yards cloth at peak 1912. Specialized in 'grey cotton' for India. 65% textile jobs gone by 1967. Mills repurposed. Now services and regional retail.
Blackburn wove the cloth that clothed the world—until the world learned to weave for itself. By 1870, the town contained 2.5 million spindles; by 1891, over 500,000 spindles operated across major mills like Brookhouse, Imperial, and Vale. The industry produced 8 billion yards of cloth at its peak in 1912.
The town's first purpose-built spinning mill opened in 1797. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal and nearby valleys provided water and transport; steam power scaled production. Blackburn specialized in 'grey cotton'—unbleached fabric exported to India for finishing.
The collapse came in stages. World War I cut raw cotton supplies; the government encouraged colonies to build their own mills. India reduced imports from 3,000 million tons annually to just 500 million by 1936, sourcing more from Japan's modern factories. Portugal produced cotton goods 40% cheaper than Lancashire. By 1967, 65% of Blackburn's textile jobs had disappeared since 1950.
The mills remain—repurposed into mixed-use spaces, museums, and housing. Imperial Mill now hosts local textile exhibitions. Some specialized production continues: Britain competes in niche textile goods where technology and quality command premium prices.
Blackburn's modern economy relies on services, retail, and healthcare rather than weaving. The town that dressed an empire now serves a regional population.
By 2026, Blackburn offers a case study in post-industrial adaptation: what happens when an entire industry relocates overseas.