Description:The fustian mill is on the west side of Oxford Road. The mill was part of Congleton Cutters "English Velvets".
Fustian is the old name for corduroy, a kind of cotton velvet. The cotton cloth had extra looped wefts woven in as it was made and the rolls of cloth were sent to specialist fustian cutters. The cloth was stretched over benches up to 150 yards long and the cutters walk along the length of the cloth. The threads were cut with a sweeping movement as they walked the length of the cloth. This was similar to opening a letter with a knife but considerable dexterity and accuracy was needed. The cut wefts formed the pile. The cloth was then brushed to raise the pile. This produced a cloth like corduroy or velveteen.