History of Peter Reed | 160 Years of English Heritage

Lancashire

Craftsmanship in North-West England

Founded in 1861 by its namesake on the historic slopes of Pendle Hill, Peter Reed's story begins in Lancashire, the heart of Britain's renowned cotton industry, affectionately dubbed Cottonopolis. Here, over two-thirds of the world's cotton was transformed into exquisite fabrics, dyed, printed, and exported globally. By 1891, at Springbank Mill, Peter Reed proudly operated over 748 shuttle looms, making it the second-largest weaving mill in the world. At Springfield Mill in 1968, Peter Reed introduced the first automatic loom to the UK, revolutionising the weaving process and setting new standards for precision.

Despite the industry's decline in the 70s and 80s, Peter Reed continued to produce its own cloth until 2008. Today, Peter Reed sources luxurious fabric from Italy, with all products meticulously crafted at Butterworth Mill.

Embroidery

The Peter Reed archive

The Peter Reed archive, spanning 6,000 pages, showcases 160 years of expertise and rich tradition of embroidery as a craft. Until the late 1940s, Peter Reed’s embroideries were meticulously hand-crafted in Madeira, with each design hand-drawn on thin brown paper using black ink. Today, they are expertly crafted at Butterworth Mill, offering a wealth of bespoke colours, embroidery designs, sizes, shapes, and thread counts.

Royalty

Recognition by The Crown

In 2008, Peter Reed was honoured with a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen, recognising our unwavering commitment to excellence, quality, craftsmanship, and service. Further cementing our heritage, we were awarded the Royal Warrant as Manufacturers of Bed Linen to His Majesty King Charles III in 2024. Our esteemed clientele includes the Royal Households of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, and Sandringham House, a testament to our tradition of exceptional luxury and craftsmanship.

Legacy

Preserving heritage and excellence

Peter Reed's legacy is deeply rooted in sustainability, certified by Planet Mark and Positive Luxury. Our linen is a true labour of love, providing unparalleled moments of pleasure for clients in prestigious hotels, bespoke interior designs, and exceptional private residences. In every stitch, the history of English luxury is woven into the present, bringing centuries of textile mastery to life. This commitment ensures that each piece embodies exquisite craftsmanship while honouring the planet for future generations.