Christy
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Christy was established in 1850. When Henry Christy visited the Palace of the Sultan in Constantinople. He brought back with him a sample of a hand made, loop pile fabric which was new to the western world. His brother, Richard Christy analysed how to mechanically reproduce the loop pile, and patented a machine to produce "Terry Towelling" on a large scale.
The first Christy towels were shown in the Great Exhibition of 1851 at Crystal Palace. Where a set was presented to Queen Victoria. She liked them so much she immediately ordered more. The "Royal Turkish Towels" had arrived!
As England’s original towel manufacturer. The Christy brand is now synonymous with quality. And one of the worlds leading manufacturers in high quality towels and linen.
The mill in Tameside is the original birthplace of Christy and the company has remained here since 1850. In recent years the site has become mothballed in sections due to it being more cost effective to produce its products abroad.
Christy has an impressive pedigree and produced towels for Wimbledon. They even produced the towels for the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.
We have drove past this place so many times its untrue and never thought exploring here would be possible. But one sunny morning in February we decided to have a quick look as we where in the area.
Much to our surprise it was walk in access and everywhere open! Not ones to miss an opportunity we casually walked in and began exploring this legendary towel manufacturer.
Unsure what to expect we moved round in stealth mode but soon realised we where the only ones in the entire factory.
Although certain sections are very much active the majority of the site is mothballed. it does however host the biggest looms we have ever seen, as well as having a rather extensive collection of towels and sewing machines.
In some ways this place is like walking into Robert Fletchers Mill in Oldham. Power still on, running water and so on. The highlight of the trip though was discovering the attic space above the main factory. It is stacked to the ceiling with records and accounts of there hundreds if not thousands of clients, as well as rare sample products.
A truly spectacular place. Perfectly preserved and filled with fantastic remnants of the past.
