Textile industry thriving in Lancashire

The Textiles Growth Programme has posted interim findings showing that the textile industry in Lancashire is thriving.

This has helped create nearly 380 new jobs, safeguard nearly 150 more and create 24 apprenticeships.

Through renewed confidence, the industry now has the potential to add 10,000 new jobs and £500m more to the UK’s economy each year by 2020.

He said: “We have also recently helped set up Textile Academy in Burnley to teach sewing and help fill a skills gap with £45,000 of funding from the Fund. Sewing is a skill for life. It’s a flexible career as people can even work from home if they have a family.

Lorna Fitzsimons, founder and director of the Textiles Growth Programme said: “Five years ago, Lord Alliance challenged Sir Vince Cable, the then Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, to recognise the opportunity for increasing UK fashion and textiles manufacturing. This started us on a journey which led to the most extensive study on supply and demand for UK fashion and textiles manufacturing in decades. There is still more to do but this is a success story no one saw coming.” Sir Vince Cable, former secretary of State for Business, innovation and Skills who commissioned the work, added: "The textile industry was widely thought to be extinct in the UK, but some outstanding entrepreneurs, using new technology plus modest Government help under coalition industrial strategy, have turned things around. Reshoring is real and growing."