Made in the UK John Smedley

The company was founded in 1784, at Lea Mills, in Matlock, Derbyshire by Peter Nightingale and his associate John Smedley. Lea Bridge provided an ideal setting for the mill as the brook which ran through the village provided motive power and a constant source of running water.

In its early days the mill specialised in the production of muslin and spinning cotton to send out to local cottages with hand frame looms. Towards the end of the 18th century the company had extended its activities to include knitting and hosiery manufacture and by this time John Smedley was running the business alone, although the Nightingale family retained an interest in the property.

In 1819 John Smedley's son John was apprenticed to the company, and after thorough training took over the helm six years later at the age of 24. With great energy and vision he set about modernising and expanding the company, with the intention that all the manufacturing processes required to produce finished product should be under one roof, using the finest quality raw materials available.

These principles continue to be the cornerstone of the company's success. A growing and dedicated workforce was established, indeed younger generations of original Smedley workers can still be found at the factory today.