James Brindley

James Brindley began life as a fashion fabric business, launched by the Grafton family in 1936. Still family owned and run by Mark Grafton and his son Simon, James Brindley has a proud history and is related to the company's namesake, one of the most notable English engineers of the 18th century. Their quest for James Brindley is always evolving and conviction in the brand remains unchanged. Mark Grafton opened the first 'James Brindley' branded store as a small dressmaking pattern and fabric shop in Wetherby in the 1960's.

This was closely followed by a Harrogate store in the market place in 1972. From the very beginning our stores were known as dedicated to selling top quality fabrics. The price of fabrics sold ranged from 30 pence to £10 per yard. Managing Director Simon Grafton remembers working as a Saturday boy in the Wetherby shop, serving customers with his late Aunt Sue; Dress making was big in the 70's.