With records dating back to the year 1773, the Little Greene Dye Works of Collyhurst Wood, on the outskirts of Manchester is one of England’s most ancient industrial sites for the making of paints and dye solutions.

The Earl of Derby granted rights for the use of the site as a 'house producing colours' in the 18th century. Joshua Rowlands the earliest identifiable proprietor of the works, led the development of traditional paints for domestic and industrial use, drawing upon his experience of making dye solutions for the cotton trade.

Situated at the confluence of the rivers Irk and Irwell, the site's popularity over the centuries stemmed from the ready source of fast flowing clean water from the Pennines. This natural resource was used for both motive force to power the paint grinding stones and as a valuable clean ingredient incorporated into the products.

The early paints would have been based on natural resins and pigments, similar in many ways to those used by the great artists of old. The development of synthetic compounds for the colouring of materials during the 19th century provided faster and more efficient production; however many of them were proven not to be as safe or as good as the ones they replaced.

We incorporate many of the materials used in the past for the preparation of the very high quality paints we make today - something Joshua Rowlands would have been both amused about and proud of.

We are particularly proud of our paint’s depth of colour – undertones that subtly change in different lights, providing real character and definition: the more complex the pigmentation the more interesting the colour. This complex and profound formulation and unequalled depth of colour (with over 40% more pigment than many ordinary paints) is what really gives Little Greene paint a point of difference.

Little Greene wallpapers are a beautiful complement to the company’s paint palette. Each highly individual collection employs specialist printing methods on the finest grade papers, which gives the wallpapers their sophisticated textures, elegant appearance, durability and longevity.

Little Greene is one of the fastest growing brands in the world of interior design, with customers across the UK and Europe, whatever their style, discovering the Little Greene excellence of quality, performance and perfect results.

Little Greene has a programme of aid for various Breast Cancer research and support agencies. A contribution from every sale of paint and wallpaper sold is made to English Heritage’s work.

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Little Greene Philosophy

At Little Greene our philosophy is based on a real desire to provide the best quality paint and wallpapers at affordable prices with a personal service.

All our paint finishes are made to an exceptionally high standard, with the finest materials and with care for the environment.

We are committed to producing paints and wallpapers which are beautiful, durable and stand the test of modern living, Little Greene is also firmly committed to making every day living as pain-free as possible. Our paints are formulated to be easy to apply and their superb coverage makes light work when decorating.

And we have taken the headache out of choosing paints to coordinate with our wallpapers: for each design, we have recommended colours to help you create an eye-catching and easy- to- live with result every time.

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