History

Adamley Textiles, English silk printers.

Macclesfield silk

Adamley is proud to be one of the last surviving screen printing mills in Macclesfield.

Ever since the 1700’s, silk has played an important part of life in Macclesfield. Generations of local communities have relied on weaving, dyeing, printing and finishing silk as a source of
employment; adopting and perfecting ancient skills and techniques which earned English silks a worldwide reputation for excellence.

Grounded in tradition

The town of Macclesfield experienced the transition from market town to industrial centre as a result of its successful silk industry.

The first silk mill was established here in 1743 and textile manufacturing then dominated the town until the end of the nineteenth century. This extraordinary expansion was due to Macclesfield’s good transport links to other markets as many silk products travelled via the canal system to London.

In addition, the river Bollin that ran through the town, provided power for the numerous mills and its water was soft enough for use in silk processing.

In Victorian times, the site where Adamley is located was owned by Hollins Steam Laundry. Due to its vicinity to the source of the river Bollin, the company was able to use the cleanest water to provide the whole of Macclesfield’s silk industry with its washing and finishing services.

The site, with its own water supply and water wheel (evidence of which can still be found), was later acquired by M. Adamski and F. Parker who expanded the buildings to cover the dyeing, printing and finishing of fine silks. The company, originally trading as Parkadam, will later become Adamley Textiles.

Traditional silk printers

Still to this day, Adamley continues to utilise the water sources of the River Bollin throughout all stages of silk production.

Drawing on the skills and experience of local silk dyers and printers, Adamley is committed to keeping the tradition of silk screen printing alive.

Traditional printing techniques have been superseded by modern digital printing, but Adamley retains its long-established methods to achieve a distinctive look and authenticity which has long been associated with the historical Macclesfield print.

In order to meet the demands of our customers, adapt to the modern world and cater to luxury accessories market, Adamley has also recently introduced state-of-the art digital printing facilities as an expansion to our services.