Blankencare draws on Burnley's textile history

A Burnley business specialising in adult incontinence wear and children’s nappies said it feels like it has brought the textile industry back to the town.

Blankencare, which is one of the only UK manufacturers to produce washable cloth adult incontinence wear, and Snuggleblanks children’s reuseable cloth nappies are owned by Vicky Blanken.

Vicky, who recently gave birth to Xander, said: “This building used to be a cotton mill so to us, it feels like we are keeping the heart of the building alive.  It’s crazy to think that cotton - the main product in our items - used to be made in this very building and now we have to order it in.”

The company is currently in talks with numerous bladder and bowel charities and are taking part in trials with the University of Southampton for prostate cancer supplies.

Vicky started the business because of her daughter Maia who, at the age of 2 in 2011 was bigger than average and showing no signs of potty training.

Vicky said: “Talking to other mums about it I realised there was a huge gap in the market and people asked me to develop bigger sizes for their children and relatives.

“As Maia and our other clients have grown, so have the sizes of our products. It's a business born out of genuine need rather than whim. We hear all the time that people find it difficult to find suitable sized nappies.

“Because all our products are handmade in Burnley we can make the waistbands higher or lower for comfort, wider or higher in the leg, we can have them fastening with poppers or velcro. They can fasten at the front or the side - and they can all be adjusted.

Vicky moved to Northbridge House in November last year and moved to larger offices in April, with an additional unit for their cutting press. She said: “ It started with just me and now we have five people. The business is continuing to grow."