The nineteenth century

The dyeing trade in nineteenth century Bradford was dominated by a handful of commission dyers such as George Armitage and Company, William Grandage and Company, and Edward Ripley & Sons.

Some spinning and weaving firms like Lister and Company of Manningham and John Foster of Queensbury also operated dye houses, but these were never as important as the commission dyers.

 

 

 

 

The largest dyeing works in Bradford was Edward Ripley & Sons. This was established in 1807 and by 1890 had grown to become the largest and most successful piece dye works in the country, if not the world. The factory covered 5 acres, employed 1500 people and dyed and finished over 25,000 miles of cloth a year. The firm had grown enormously under the direction of Sir Henry W Ripley who also played a leading role in the affairs of the town as an MP and philanthropist.

In 1863-64 he built Ripleyville, a community of 200 houses, a church and a school, to house his workforce. For a small extra payment on their rent the tenants could eventually own their home. Very few took up the offer, however, and it was not successful.