Meet the Macclesfield Indoor Market business which ships their products around the world.

Modern Woolfare is the brainchild of Macclesfield resident Brian Painter.

The ex-serviceman gained a knack for knitting in lockdown, and has graduated from his shed, to an online business, plus a presence on our high street in three years.

Macclesfield Nub News went to meet with Brian to find more about his one-of-a-kind store, all made in Macclesfield.

Brian is a former soldier, so his business name is a pun on the term 'modern warfare'. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"I make garments right here in the Indoor Market and sell them too", said Brian.

"In the workshop I make woollen clothes like shirts, cloaks, and jackets.

"Every item is individual. There are some things you will never find again.

"That is what I like about it. It is something unique. Everything I make is 100% wool, and you can have tailed to your specific measurements."

The wool is highly water resistant. Brian uses boiled wool, meaning it is not woven. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Whether it is tunics, ear warmers, or ponchos. If you can think of a woollen garment, Brian sells it.

Brian's business has gained fans from across the globe, with him having just shipped wool garments to places like Norway and Alaska.

His online shop has a perfect rating on Etsy.

"The first thing I made was a hooded shirt out of old blankets", added Brian.

Brian has lived in Macclesfield for almost eight years. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"I posted it on my Instagram and people got really interested, and it all took off from there.

"My biggest audience online is in the US, because nobody is doing something like this. If you want something custom-made for the winter, I can make it to fit you perfectly. You can customise the amount of buttons and pockets. And this customisation is available to the people of Macclesfield as well."

The wool he uses comes from Italy, as nowhere else offers that. But Brian is keen to support all things local.

He's a keen promoter of the new collective Totally Locally Macclesfield, and is in the process of starting a podcast with another Macclesfield Indoor Market trader.

The wool he uses is extra special to Brian, and personally selected by him. The wool which comprises his garments can only be bought in two places in the UK. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

The former serviceperson also donates his waste wool to another Indoor Market stall, or makes things like teddies out of them.

The store also sells knick-knacks and things like vintage tools.

These are in-part, another way to make revenue, but also add more character to Brian's business and greatly compliment his wool garments.

"The Council have an Armed Forces Support Officer [Richard Stephenson-Evans] who has been very, very helpful with my business", Brian also said.

He also uses 100% wax cotton which comes from Scotland. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"The Council does get a bad rep, often it is deserved. But often they get it right and they really deserve praise for it.

"I also sell things made by other veterans. I stock leather from another veteran, and bowls or plates from two woodworkers who are veterans.

"And if people have clothes they want to get rid of, I am happy to sell them for a small commission, which helps local people out."

When asked about his favourite part about his new job, Brian had this to say:

His products would make cracking Christmas presents. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"When people come in and say 'this shop reminds me of my dad's garage, or their grandad's", he explained.

"Which is great as I have put a lot of time into the layout of this shop.

"It means a lot to me that people can see the effort that I've gone to, and I hope it makes people come back.

"And even though I have only been here for three months, I am lucky to have already had repeat customers.

Macclesfield has a rich history with the fabric silk, but now the business is getting internationally-known for wool thanks to this one-man clothes business. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"The Indoor Market is a great opportunity for small business. I don't think people realise that it is.

"For not a great deal of money in terms of rent, you can have a shop.

"If I wanted to go on Chestergate, I'd be playing, four, five, six times more than I'm paying here.

"And the other traders have been amazing to work with too.

Brian has health conditions which prevent him from doing heavy work. But the relaxation and skills of learning a new craft in working with wool, has been a perfect post-pandemic career for him. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"The Indoor Market is a resource that is very much underused by the town."

Modern Woolfare is open at the same time as Macclesfield Indoor Market, 9am to 5pm from Monday until Saturday.

Macclesfield: You can follow Modern Woolfare on Facebook and Instagram.

If you can't make it down to the Grosvenor Centre anytime soon, why now browse his full stock range on Etsy?

Located just past Angie's, Brian is located between Units 47-49 of Macclesfield Indoor Market. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

See Also: Macclesfield good cause donates trees to kids at Bollinbrook Primary School

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