Over 150 Years of Experience

About Whaleys Fabrics

Whaleys was established in 1869 by Mr Samuel Whaley, about whom not a great deal is known. The activities of his enterprise at that time were silk and jute weaving, with one floor processing textile sacks and bags.

Over 150 Years of History

We are a UK-based textile supplier with over 150 years of heritage. We provide a diverse range of fabrics and materials for various industries.

  • 1898

    Whaleys Bradford Limited is established by Mr Samuel Whaley.

    Not a great deal is known about Mr Samuel Whaley; the activities of his enterprise at that time were silk and jute weaving, with one floor processing textile sacks and bags.

  • 1908

    Whaleys moves to new premises on Bolton Road, Bradford.

    The original premises were off Leeds Road in Bradford, West Yorkshire, before moving to Bolton road in 1908, finally taking over its present site, Harris Court Mills in 1973.

  • 1900

    Harry Jowett takes over Whaleys Bradford Limited.

    Harry Jowett was the great-grandfather of the present Managing Director. During the First World War, weaving was suspended and silk making abandoned. When normal work recommenced an industrial fabric section was established to furnish the textile finishing industry.

  • 1921

    Harry Jowett's sons-in-law take over Whaleys just before his death.

    Just before Harry Jowett’s death in 1921, the firm was taken over by his two sons in law, Fred Popplewell (MD, on photo above) and James Robert McIlvenny.

  • 1945

    Whaleys Bradford: a fourth generation family business.

    After the last world war Fred and James Robert were joined by James’ sons, Harry and James Fredrick, eventually being joined by James Frederick’s son and Managing Director, Peter, who now represents the fourth generation.

  • Present Day

    Over the years the company has expanded and diversified.

    It has introduced a department which specialises in producing theatre curtains along with a range of flame proofed fabrics, in addition to a large fashion fabric section supplying fabric designers direct. It is interesting to note that this includes offering Silk again, after an absence of 70 years!

Our Best Sellers

Our most popular fabrics at great prices.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 Sam Hinsley profile picture 
 
 
 Sam Hinsley 
 
01/04/2025
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
Great customer service and quick delivery. They very kindly let me amend an order I'd placed and I still received it the next day.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Lorna profile picture 
 
 
 Lorna 
 
27/02/2025
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Jean Challiner profile picture 
 
 
 Jean Challiner 
 
14/11/2024
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
Beautiful quality fabric. Exceeded my expectations. Arrived very quickly and well packaged. Will definitley order from Whaleys again. Thank you.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 MAZ Property LTD Mazurkiewychz profile picture 
 
 
 MAZ Property LTD Mazurkiewychz 
 
17/10/2024
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
Excellent Fabrics,  service second to none. One of Bradford’s longest Fabrics suppliers. QUALITY…
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Mary Macdonald profile picture 
 
 
 Mary Macdonald 
 
15/08/2024
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
I have used Whaleys for over 25 years!!!!!!
Ordering fabrics for school and my own business for 12 years.
The information on each fabric is informative and it’s so easy to get samples if required. The fabrics are excellent quality and very competitive price wise. The service is second to none.
They are fab!!!!!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Asiya Asiya profile picture 
 
 
 Asiya Asiya 
 
29/07/2024
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Brian Hughes profile picture 
 
 
 Brian Hughes 
 
10/07/2024
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
Has I work alone , single items, they were very helpful when my input failed due to the update of the website,
Thank you 🙏 B.Hughes, Mid Wales
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Nicola FRANKLIN profile picture 
 
 
 Nicola FRANKLIN 
 
27/06/2024
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
Thank you Whalley's for another great service. Our new studio drapes are exactly what we asked for and arrived very quickly
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 JaiMelancholia profile picture 
 
 
 JaiMelancholia 
 
21/04/2024
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5 
I've been happily buying from Whaleys Bradford for years and love the range they offer
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 4.1 of 5, based on 51 reviews