Historic Bradford textile firm Harrison Gardner Dyers & Winders has ceased trading and entered administration after 125 years in business, with all 26 employees made redundant.
The fourth-generation family-run company, based on Royds Hall Lane, entered administration on 24th September following escalating operating costs, rising energy and labour prices, and falling demand across the UK and European wool industries. The recent closure of major client West Yorkshire Spinners also dealt the business a heavy blow.
Harrison Gardner was founded in 1901 and specialised in commission dyeing for the carpet and wool knitting sectors, supplying major names including Newhey Carpets, Carpets of Kidderminster, and craft producer WM Briggs.
“Sadly, in the face of increasingly challenging trading conditions, with rising energy, labour, raw material and other operating costs placing significant pressure on the business, the directors were left with no choice,” said Julian Pitts, joint administrator alongside Richard Kenworthy of BTG. “The recent closure of yarn producer West Yorkshire Spinners, a longstanding client of Harrison Gardner and a major player in the British textile sector, was a significant factor in the failure of the business.”
A spokesperson for Harrison Gardner added: “After 125 years and four generations of family ownership, this is an incredibly difficult day for everyone connected with Harrison Gardner. It is particularly sad that a business which has survived two World Wars, significant economic downturns and decades of change in the textile industry reaches this point in its 125th year. Our thoughts are with our employees, customers, suppliers and all those who have supported the business throughout its long history.”
Joint administrators from BTG are seeking offers for the company’s assets and business, while providing redundancy support to the affected workers. Interested parties can contact Richard Temple at BTG Eddisons via richard.temple@eddisons.com.
