Historic firm to cease trading

An Exeter-based business which can trace its roots back to 1789 and is today a manufacturer of both clerical clothing and academic gowns has announced plans to close by the end of the year.

Wippell & Co began trading in Devon in 1789 as a grocer but went on to make its name as an academic and clerical outfitter, and supplier of church furnishings, making handmade garments ranging from cassocks and altar frontals to graduation gowns and mortarboards.

With sites in Exeter, Westminster and New Jersey, some 44 employees will be affected. Support and consultation around the redundancy process is now underway.

The announcement comes after two difficult years trading during the pandemic, with the company losing hundreds of thousands of pounds as university graduation ceremonies and other face-to-face events stopped.

Robin Richardson, chairman and director, said: “It’s an incredibly sad day and I want to pay tribute to all my colleagues. We will be supporting everyone through this difficult period. The company is committed to providing fair redundancy packages and giving everyone many months’ notice ahead of closure.

“Most people, including incredibly skilled embroiderers, seamstresses and cutters, have worked here for decades, with many approaching retirement age. I want to personally acknowledge everyone’s dedication and craftsmanship.”

Richardson added: “We are continuing to trade, completing and taking orders in the coming months, including all commitments to servicing and fulfilling all graduations for 2023 and I would reassure customers that our high standards will be maintained throughout this time.”

As one of the oldest manufacturers in England, all of the company’s manufacturing of textiles and clothes – including vestments, robes, banners and furnishings – has been in Exeter, including for the last 94 years at the company’s current site, in Buller Road, St Thomas.

Customers include universities in the UK and overseas, the Anglican Church, Church of Scotland, United Reform Church, Episcopal, Methodist and Baptist churches in America, and in numerous other countries from Australia to Sweden.

The firm was the first business in Exeter to set up and use a telephone line, and the first to convert from gas to electric lightning. Its first London shop opened in 1897 and the business became a limited company in 1902, opening its New Jersey sales office in 1950.

During both world wars, Wippell & Co switched to making and supplying military clothing and equipment, parachutes, signal devices and equipment including torpedo mechanisms for the British armed forces.

Today, Wippell’s continues to sell around the world, including to the likes of production company HBO for historical dramas, and clerical costumes on long-running British shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

The company has also created costumes for Madame Tussauds and theatre shows.

Director Christine Morrish said: “The company has an incredible heritage, skilful employees and loyal customers. Sadly, times have changed.

“It has been a tough few years because of the pandemic, and is without doubt a much more competitive market, with lower quality machine-made garments from overseas now dominating.

“Over the coming months, we will continue to support employees and remain fully committed to our customers, continuing to receive and fulfil orders, during this time.”