Templeton Carpet Factory History

A functional carpet mill stood behind the spectacular facade of the templeton carpet factory.

Templeton carpet factory history.

The ensuing carpet firm of james templeton son was established in bridgeton in 1839. He went on to become one of the most successful carpet manufacturers in britain producing carpets for state occasions great houses luxury liners including the titanic as well as domestic use. A woman weaving a carpet on a loom at templeton s carpet factory in templeton street in bridgeton late 19th century. The original factory was on king street now called redan street but burned down in 1856.

The factory specialized in picture carpets such as the twelve apostles carpet which they exhibited at the paris exhibition of 1867. It was in paisley that. James templeton from paisley patented a chenille axminster process by which he could manufacture more densely patterned and richly coloured carpets. Founder james templeton was originally a draper by trade and started a shawl manufacturing business in paisley with money saved up while carrying out his craft in mexico.

In 1857 a new factory was built on william street later renamed templeton street. James templeton died in 1885 and is buried in the upper part of glasgow necropolis. The factory specialised in picture carpets such as the twelve apostles carpet which they exhibited at the paris exhibition of 1867. In 1984 it was converted into the templeton business centre then in 2005 a major regeneration project made it into a mixed use lifestyle village incorporating apartments office space and the west brewery bar and restaurant.