Set in the heart of Manchester is Whitworth Locke’s latest restaurant: the Cotton Factory, newly launched in July 2019. Offering a unique and inviting space for independent chefs and pop-up restaurants and traders, the Cotton Factory showcases food and cuisine from around the world. Two of our vintage industrial lights are installed in secluded and intimate corners of the open-plan restaurant as key feature pieces.

Once a 19th-Century cotton mill, Whitworth Locke is now a 160 room hotel, bar, cafe and lounge. Designed by Grzywinski+Pons architects, it merges three former textile warehouses linked together by an extensive glass atrium; now a converted botanical evening bar. Throughout the hotel, and the Cotton Factory, the original brickwork has been left in place as an homage to these Mancunian masonry buildings. The origins of the Cotton Factory resonates with skinflint as many of our salvaged British lights come from the old wool, textile and cotton mills of North West England.

The first food trader in residence at the Cotton Factory is El Camino, a Mexican eatery whose zingy taste complements the bright and colourful interiors. The playful retro touches such as the cassette tapes provide a contrast to the steel tables and vintage industrial lights.

Two of skinflint’s restored vintage lights can be found in the Cotton Factory. Our large Eastern Bloc linear pendant is suspended in the private dining area behind the bar, elevating the rich red tones of the space. Secondly, our industrial linear light by Heyes can be found hanging above the intimate booth, making for a unique centrepiece whilst illuminating this corner of the restaurant.

Visit The Cotton Factory for more.