John England Textiles Banbridge
The John England story starts in 1964 when the man himself approached Harold Calvert, owner of Blackers Mill, with a view to setting up a joint venture business. At that time, John was working for the Mallusk Linen and Bleaching Company but had reached a point in his career and life that he wanted to be the master of his own destiny.
So, flying in the face of worried criticism from friends and family, but with Calvert's backing, John set up shop in a terraced house in Charles Street South, Belfast. The initial rent was only £2.15 per week and when he later purchased the property it set him back just £200.
John's reputation as an innovator and creative genius quickly grew, not just in Ireland and Great Britain, but further afield throughout Europe and the rest of the world. A regular at trade shows in France, Italy and America, John's uncanny knack of sourcing unique textures and colours from the natural world around him meant that top fashion and interior design houses quickly favoured JE linens, a legacy that continues to this day.
Significant and continued business success meant that the company relocated from Charles Street South in 1988 to larger premises and then again in 1998 to a brand new premises overlooking the historic Titanic dock. The Company has now come under common ownership with Thomas Ferguson & Co Ltd , a well known Irish linen Jacquard weaver, and has relocated the 25 miles to the Franklins Group weaving factory in Banbridge, Co Down.
Over the years John carefully built a knowledgeable and creative team around him and it is in their hands that he confidently leaves the running of the business today. With a combined experience of over 100 years in the Irish Linen business, it is this small but fiercely loyal group who are driving the company to even greater heights of innovation and customer care.
