Whaleys Bradford

What Whaleys Bradford does

Whaleys Bradford Limited (trading as Whaleys Fabrics) is a family-owned wholesale and retail fabric supplier established in 1869 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The company sells over 450 stocked fabrics spanning more than 600 product references across natural fibres (cotton, silk, linen, wool, bamboo), synthetic textiles (polyester, nylon, viscose), and specialty categories including stage fabric, flame retardant textiles, and coated fabrics for digital printing. Distribution is anchored by a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk, supplemented by phone and email sales support for orders above £5,000 and a sample-by-post service (up to 5 samples for £2.50 with free UK shipping).

Revenue is generated through per-metre unit pricing ranging from £1-3 for basic cotton up to £40+ for premium silk, with volume discounts of up to 34% on orders of 10+ metres and bespoke pricing negotiated for commercial wholesale accounts. The customer base is horizontally diversified across fashion designers and dressmakers (primary segment), performing arts and entertainment venues, quilting and craft enthusiasts, fine artists requiring canvas, and students with discount programmes. Commercial customers include theatres, arenas, TV studios, universities and schools sourcing stage fabrics and flame retardant materials.

Operations are conducted from the Harris Court Mills site in Bradford (occupied since 1973) with worldwide delivery capability. The company operates without disclosed AI/ML capabilities, external institutional investment, or M&A activity, and is led by a Managing Director descended from Harry Jowett, who assumed control in 1900. No revenue figures, patents, certifications, or awards are disclosed in available sources.

Name

Whaleys Bradford

Legal name

Whaleys Bradford Limited

Website

https://whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Whaleys Bradford is a family-owned UK fabric wholesaler and retailer, established 1869, selling over 450 stocked fabrics through direct-to-consumer e-commerce to dressmakers, theatres, students, and craft customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Textiles

NAICS

Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers (45913), Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers (459130), Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers (424310)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

General Fabric & Textile Stores (CRALADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Notions & Sewing Accessories Retail (Thread, Needles, Zippers, Buttons) (CRALADAG), Yarn, Knitting & Crochet Supplies Retail (CRALACAF)

Keywords

• Wholesale textiles
• Fabric distribution
• Natural fibre fabrics
• Flame retardant textiles
• Custom dyeing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fabric Sales: Primary revenue from selling fabrics by the metre through e-commerce platform, serving wholesale and retail customers with over 600 fabric references across natural and synthetic fibres.
2. Bulk/Wholesale Orders: Volume-based sales to commercial customers including theatres, arenas, universities, and schools, with discounted pricing for orders over 10 metres and bespoke pricing for orders exceeding £5,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Whaleys Bradford is a wholesale fabric supplier selling over 450 stocked fabrics across more than 600 fabric references by the metre through its own e-commerce storefront. The range spans natural fibres (cotton, silk, linen, wool, bamboo), synthetic textiles (polyester, nylon, viscose), and specialty materials including flame retardant fabrics, coated fabrics for digital printing, and bespoke stage fabrics for theatres and venues. The company serves both retail customers and commercial buyers with volume discounts on bulk orders and worldwide delivery.

Product overview

Whaleys Bradford is a wholesale fabric supplier established in 1869, offering over 450 fabrics with over 600 fabric references available. The company provides an extensive portfolio of textile products spanning natural fibres (cotton, silk, linen, wool, bamboo), synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, viscose), and specialty materials. The product range includes core fabric categories like Canvas, Calico, Jersey, and Satin alongside specialty offerings such as Stage Fabric for theatres and venues, Flame Retardant Fabrics for safety applications, Coated Fabrics for Digital Printing, and Eco-Friendly & Organic Fabrics. The company operates from Bradford, West Yorkshire, with worldwide delivery and serves both wholesale and retail customers including students with discount offers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cotton Fabric
• Silk Fabric
• Linen Fabric
• Canvas Fabric
• Calico Fabric
• Polyester Fabric
• Muslin Fabric
• Jersey Fabric
• Satin Fabric
• Chiffon Fabric
• Wool Fabric
• Nylon Fabric
• Stage Fabric
• Bamboo Fabric
• Organic Fabric
• Flame Retardant Fabrics
• Buckram Fabric
• Interlining Fabric
• Coated Fabric for Digital Printing
• Scrim Fabric

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Empress Mills: UK-based supplier of dress, craft, and furnishing fabrics with online ordering and worldwide shipping. Direct peer to Whaleys in trade and consumer fabric markets with overlapping per-metre pricing model.
• Tissura: Online retailer specialising in premium designer fabrics (silk, lace, wool) with worldwide delivery. Comparable to Whaleys in serving international dressmakers and designers with high-end textile catalogs.
• Higgs & Higgs: UK-based online fabric shop specialising in dress fabrics, jerseys, craft fabrics, and fat quarter bundles. Competes directly with Whaleys in DTC e-commerce fabric retail with similar per-metre pricing and minimum-order dynamics.
• Fabric Land: UK fabric retailer with both physical stores and online presence, selling craft, dressmaking, and furnishing fabrics. Direct peer to Whaleys in mass-market and hobby fabric segments across the UK.
• Abakhan Fabrics: Long-established UK fabric retailer and wholesaler selling cotton, dress, and craft fabrics by the metre through stores and online. Direct competitor to Whaleys in UK hobby/dressmaking fabric retail with overlapping wholesale model.
• Mood Fabrics: Iconic US-based fabric retailer with deep designer/dressmaker focus and global online shipping. Direct peer to Whaleys in worldwide DTC fabric supply, particularly relevant given Whaleys' US delivery footprint.
• Minerva Crafts: Large UK online merchant offering fabrics, haberdashery, and craft supplies. Comparable to Whaleys in serving dressmakers, quilters, and craft enthusiasts with broad fabric range plus notions.
• Dalston Mill Fabrics: UK fabric retailer offering a broad range of dress and craft fabrics with nationwide shipping. Comparable to Whaleys in online DTC fabric retail with similar customer overlap in dressmaking and hobby markets.
• ClothSpot: Online UK fabric retailer focusing on dressmaking fabrics and craft textiles, supplying to makers and designers. Direct peer to Whaleys in DTC fabrics for dressmakers and small designers.

Broad incumbents

• John Lewis (Fashion & Home Textiles): Major UK department store with broad fashion and home textile assortment, including fabric offerings. Adjacent incumbent to Whaleys with overlapping fabric merchandising but much wider category scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WhaleysBradfordLtd
• Instagraminstagram.com/whaleys_bradford
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/whaleys-bradford-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whaleys Bradford