The Evolution Of Burnley

The old mill town has developed into a vibrant and exciting place to live, work and visit

- Mairead Mahon

Burnley, once known largely as a mill town, has re-invented itself. These days, it’s a university town, a super shopping centre, a festival town and a regular on lists that cite it as one of the best locations for business and politicians have urged other towns to follow where it leads!

That doesn’t mean though that the town is turning its back on its roots. In fact, several businesses have been in the town for decades and are now riding this new wave of success. One of the oldest is Barlows’ Herbalist, dispensing herbal treatments since 1882 and now, as a vanishingly rare breed, finds its services in demand throughout the UK.

Owner Brendan Salmon – originally a linguist and now a highly trained herbalist and author of a best-selling book on the topic – took over in 1982.

‘I came to find a cure for my sister’s acne. She got rid of the acne and I gained the shop. People still come in with skin complaints, but we cover everything from digestive worries to herbs that might help cancer sufferers,’ says Brendan, who also offers personal consultations and engages therapists who use up to the minute electronics.

‘These days, we find more people want help with anxiety-based issues, although the shop itself, with its original counter and cabinets, can be pretty calming as soon as they enter.’

John Spencer Textiles has a 20-year start on Barlows’.

In the same family since it began, it weaves in the centre of Burnley and if you’re a fan of upmarket textiles, there’s a good chance your fabrics were made here – they’ve even made material for ejector seats’ parachutes: no wonder Patrick Grant of The Great British Sewing Bee was mightily impressed.