What Is the John Foster Mill Archive Appointment Service?

The Mill Archive is an appointment-only service that lets trade clients view and buy historic John Foster cloths kept at the mill in Bradford, West Yorkshire. It is for business buyers rather than the general public, and you must book before visiting. The collection goes beyond the current bunches to include one-off and discontinued cloths that are no longer woven, so each piece is effectively a limited find. Visits happen on site, where you can see the cloth in its original setting and then select and buy directly from the archive.

What the archive contains

The archive is a preserved collection of cloths held within the mill. According to John Foster, it extends beyond the current bunches to include:

• One-off cloths woven over time
• Discontinued cloths no longer in production

Because these are not current running lines, the archive is not a place to order repeat yardage of an active collection. It suits buyers looking for something that is no longer available through normal bunch selection. Each piece carries what the company describes as a natural sense of rarity, since it cannot be rewoven.

Who it is for

The service is described as being for trade clients. That means businesses in the trade, such as tailors, makers or fabric buyers sourcing for commercial use, rather than individual retail customers browsing for a personal project. If you are unsure whether you qualify, ask when you book.

How a visit works

1. Book an appointment. The archive is available exclusively by appointment, so you cannot turn up without one.
2. Go to the mill. Visits take place on site at the Bradford mill, so you view the collection in its original setting rather than through a showroom or online catalogue.
3. View the cloths. You can examine the historic collection, including pieces outside the current bunches.
4. Select and purchase directly. Buying happens from the archive during the visit.

This differs from the Stonedale collection or the seasonal bunches, which are current, stock-supported ranges. The archive is for cloth that is no longer in production.

How to book

Contact John Foster directly to arrange a visit:

The company lists a "Book Appointment" contact route alongside these details. Booking in advance is essential, since the service is appointment-only.

Points to check before you go

• Confirm trade eligibility. The service is stated as being for trade clients, so clarify your status when booking.
• Ask what is currently in the archive. The collection is historic and changes as pieces are sold, so availability of specific cloths is not guaranteed.
• Plan for on-site selection. Purchasing happens at the mill during the visit, so come prepared to choose in person rather than ordering remotely.
• Do not expect current bunch cloths. If you need a running collection such as Stonedale or a seasonal range, use the normal collections route instead of the archive.

For buyers who want discontinued or one-off British worsted and mohair cloths and can visit Bradford by appointment, the Mill Archive is the direct route. For current stock-supported fabrics, the standard collections are the better starting point.