Bells and Iron Founding
Granite
Lace
Malting Brewing-and Drinking!
Shoes
Wool
Engineering
Hosiery
Limestone
Milling
Slate
Other Industries

INDUSTRIES

THE WOOLLEN INDUSTRY:
Wool was the most important industry in LOUGHBOROUGH for over 400 years, between the 15th and 18th centuries. Combing, spinning and weaving generated considerable prosperity for the town and it's fame was not confined to Britain. Merchants came here to trade from as great distances - not only from London but also France. A "branch" of the WOOL MERCHANTS OF THE STAPLE OF CALAIS was based at the Market. There is a record of one London Merchant who was robbed and murdered in 1322 when on his way back from Loughborough Market. Although four men from QUORN, ROTHLEY and CROPSTON were strongly suspected, they were never convicted.

There was also a thriving GUILD OF MERCHANTS which may have used the LOUGHBOROUGH GREAT HOUSE on CHURCH GATE as a base. This building still stands and is now occupied by LOWE'S ANTIQUE FURNITURE SHOP.

In the 1670s, SHEPSHED was an important market for the wool trade, especially with wool merchants in Bradford. The rich grazing around the village was ideal for sheep and the trade brought considerable wealth into the area. By 1801, 1,493 SHEPSHED people out of a population of 1,628 were employed in the wool industry and associated trades.

Woolcombing was still being carried on here in the late 18th century. Three combers are listed in Bailey's 1792 Directory but there is only one weaver as framework knitting had largely taken over by that time.

A great advance in the area's wool trade came in 1794 when RICHARD CARTWRIGHT of the LOUGHBOROUGH firm CARTWRIGHT AND WARNER developed an unshrinkable woollen fabric made from wool and cotton. The firm supplied framework knitters well into the 19th century when they are listed both as worsted spinners and hosiery manufacturers.

Another major employer of woolcombers in the late 1790s was JOSEPH PAGET. At first they employed knitters and weavers themselves but by 1846 they too were supplying framework knitters to make up the cloth. Most other firms seem to have brought their yarn in from outside.