A Place Woven with History
Before it became the creative heartbeat of Liverpool, the Fabric District had a much grittier past.
In the 1700s, this area was open land, which later turned into Gildart’s Gardens, a slum named after merchant and slave trader Richard Gildart.
By the 19th century, it had become one of Liverpool’s most overcrowded neighbourhoods, with back-to-back terraces and notorious courts. Streets like Blandford (now Kempston), Constance, and Gildart were packed with tenements, lodging houses, and even brothels. Locals dubbed it “Little Hell.”
But amid the poverty, community landmarks stood tall. St Mary Magdalene’s Church on Kempston Street (now the site of the Tapestry) served working-class families and Irish migrants, offering hope in a tough era.
Industry Replaces Housing
As Liverpool modernised in the early 20th century, slums were cleared and replaced with warehouses and small factories. The area transformed into a thriving wholesale district, with tailoring, hat-making, and textile trade at its core.
One local tailor, Mr. Max, even built a factory for women’s clothing that supported his family for generations. Owen Owen built their brand and buildings, known as TJ Hughes in the modern era.
During WWII, while much of Liverpool was bombed, these solid brick warehouses stood firm. The 1950s–70s saw a boom in wholesale, with fabric merchants, toy suppliers, and manufacturers operating side by side.
Printing, Passion, and Persistence
In 1979, screen printer Taylor’s ScreenPrint moved into one of the derelict buildings. By 1984, they had taken over a second warehouse and merged them into what we now call The Tapestry. It became a hive of print production, servicing major clients like Iceland Foods and keeping Liverpool’s signage industry alive.
When Taylor’s closed in 2002, the area once again faced decline. A top-down scheme from the Islington Regeneration Company threatened to wipe out the historic street grid altogether — Constance Street even disappeared from some development maps.
The Birth of the Fabric District
The turning point came in 2015. Lease issues were resolved at the Tapestry site and chance meetings on the street between Rich and Suzy Jennions of Try and Lilly and Jason of the Tapestry turned into a stakeholder group, and subsequently the Fabric District CIC.
For the Tapestry, funding was unlocked, and creatives started returning. Conversations became collaborations. Artists like Jayne Lawless founded The Dead Pigeon Gallery in the old upper floors – a roaming gallery, which brings contemporary art to communities and individuals.
Local stakeholders rallied. The name “Fabric District” was born, honouring both the area’s textile past and its creative future.
Today, the Fabric District is thriving. It’s not just a place with history, it’s a place making history. A grassroots movement of makers, doers, and dreamers building something bold, beautiful, and real.
And the movement is being noticed.
In 2025, the Fabric District was highlighted by the Sunday Times as one of the UK’s top investment hotspots; a place to “enjoy life’s rich (and affordable) tapestry”.
In 2026, the Fabric District steps into its next phase – busier, bolder, and more collaborative than ever.
Author: Fabric District CIC
