“When I began work back in 1972 in Salford, Manchester had a huge raincoat industry employing 70,000 people, including those working in thriving docks which were used for export.

Things changed after 1978 when the tariffs were taken off imports and VAT rose from 8% to 17.5%. The government scrapped the patents on textile machinery. There were no secrets anymore.

The result was Britain’s factories closed. It wiped them out and world-class makers had nothing to make.

That was happening right here in our hometown of Manchester, a city with a rich garment making history - where Cottonopolis began. Salford Quays became Media City and Private White became the last clothing factory.

It’s why the brand Private White V.C. was started - to get Britain making again. And to get local jobs back.

The result was Britain’s factories closed. It wiped them out and world-class makers had nothing to make.

That was happening right here in our hometown of Manchester, a city with a rich garment making history - where Cottonopolis began. Salford Quays became Media City and Private White became the last clothing factory.

It’s why the brand Private White V.C. was started - to get Britain making again. And to get local jobs back.

Right now, we employ 80 people, a United Nations workforce from 21 different nationalities. A cultural melting pot of employees all bringing their skills from across the world to Manchester. We up-skill, we don’t train from scratch. I worry about losing a member of staff, because the people are the resource. That’s the preciousness and the knowledge base that we have built up.

For me, I’m as passionate about making as I was 50 years ago. I started working at the factory as a cutter, in the 70’s the industry was booming. And we were right in the middle of it. I would walk to work from about a mile and a half away, past factory after factory.

Aside from one warehouse opposite, almost all the buildings around the Private White V.C. factory have now gone - the Robin Hood pub next door; the old works canteen behind; the rows of densely packed houses. In the 1920s St Simon’s church was pulled down. Before it vanished, the Victorian building was recorded by one of Salford’s most famous sons, the artist L. S. Lowry. From the perspective shown in his 1927 painting Street Scene (St Simon’s Church), now in the nearby Lowry Gallery, he must have sat sketching practically on the doorstep of Cottenham House.

Today, we’re the last remaining factory, in the world’s first industrial city. Our glorious mill still does what it did over 160 years – it makes things. We are a maker, not just an authority to our experience but we are a maker that makes everything in our factory on site. Virtually no other brand does that. We are still connected to our industrial past, proudly championing the virtues of this great city’s garment making history and my views are the same now as they were 50 years ago. I believe:  

I believe:

- In our skills, our workforce, quality, craft and our provenance.

- We make the world’s finest outerwear, rainwear, jersey and knitwear here in Manchester.

- We’re one of the most venerable makers in the country.

- Our products last a lifetime, for this generation and the next.

- You can invest in the brand by visiting the factory, seeing where everything is made and meeting our people who are all invested in our products.

- Buying beautiful British-made clothes is best.

So, here’s to making Britain great again, one stitch (and Peacoat) at a time.”

This Is Who We Are & Where We Are...

We make the world’s finest outerwear and much more in our very own 169-year-old factory in Salford. Not many people can say that. We’re opening our doors to show you the ins and outs of who we are and what makes us unique. There are no secrets, no gimmicks and most importantly no nonsense. Come and support our family run British brand and be a part of our story.

Factory Tours are available every day from:
Monday – Friday 10am - 4pm

Book Your Visit here.