Courses are planned in the traditional carpet weaving process through design, engineering, weaving and installation, together with courses for curators, architects and decorators in the history, recognition and specification of traditional carpets. Research is under way to locate existing examples of Printed Tapestry carpet and other 'forgotten' technologies and to revive and recreate the products where appropriate. 

 

A bar is attached to each spool with a 'comb' of tin tubes: each threaded with one yarn to guide them during weaving. Each spool carries 256, potentially differently coloured threads for each row of pattern: usually 360 rows. 

The loss of skills, technologies and products is not exclusive to the carpet industry but is occuring throughout the traditional textile industry. For this reason the Centre will also provide support, in the form of an outlet, for associated heritage textile companies whose products will be exhibited, explained and promoted, and a database of products and manufacturers will be readily available to the public. 

As an educational and cultural facility, the Centre will provide a lively venue for weavers and others involved in the industry, past and present, to share their experience and pass their knowledge on to new generations and wider audiences. The new generations, it is hoped, will continue to respect the traditions of the past and develop new, high quality products using the old technologies and skills. 

Exhibitions and a shop, offering small textile products and specialist books in particular, will support specialist manufacturers and promote the traditional textile industry. A cafe/restaurant is planned and other local heritage sites will be promoted; to encourage interest in the industrial heritage of the area and assist the expansion of the local tourist industry.