A new exhibition celebrating the local history of textile manufacturing is coming to Hinckley next month. The Atkins Gallery will host the display, titled On the Threshold, from 15 May to 29 May 2026.
Organised by the Midlands Textile Forum, the exhibition features contemporary works from artists across the region. The showcase highlights Hinckley’s long-standing connection to the textile trade, dating back to 1640 when framework knitting was first introduced to the town. This history earned the area its reputation as the cradle of the hosiery industry.
The event is being held in the Atkins Building, a site that was once the world’s oldest continuously operating hosiery factory until its closure in 2002. The facility, which has roots stretching back to 1722, was purchased by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council in 2008 and transformed into a creative business centre in 2010.
Visitors can view the art Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Two special Saturday openings are also planned for 16 May, from 12:30pm to 2:30pm, and 23 May, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Additionally, residents can meet the artists during live demonstration sessions on 21 May and 28 May. The featured artists include Janet Gilbert, Bernice Hopper, Sarah Tomlinson, Jane Arthur, Yvonne Flavell, and Kate White.
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