Firths Carpets:
The Heart of Halifax’s Textile Heritage

Oi up, folks! If you’ve ever set foot on a fine carpet in Halifax, chances are it’s got the Firths or Crossleys name stitched into its story. For generations, Firths Carpets stood at the heart of our town’s textile trade—turning wool and hard graft into some of the finest floor coverings Yorkshire ever saw. From bustling mill floors to homes across the country, Firths left their mark in every thread.

This page dives into the legacy of Firths Carpets: the people, the mill, the craft, and the community spirit that wove it all together. Whether you remember the hum of the looms or you’re just curious about our industrial roots, you’re in the right place.

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The carpet industry in Bailiff Bridge began life in this three story building at the village crossroads. Thomas Freeman Firth, a senior partner in the Heckmondwike firm of Firth, Willan and Company bought the building at public auction in Halifax in 1867. Image: Reminiscences of Bailiff Bridge, Lightcliffe and Hipperholme by Christopher Helme (1987).