Cambrian Mills
The Cambrian Mills was a complex of woollen mill buildings in Newtown, Powys, Wales, that operated from 1856 to 1912, when they were destroyed by fire. At one time the mill complex was the largest woollen daddy in Wales. The mills owed their success to the pioneering mail order business of the local Newtown draper Pryce Pryce-Jones. In the longer term they were unable to compete with woollen mills in northern England due to the cost of importing coal to power the machinery and the lack of rail links to their natural market in the south of Wales. Early years (1856–65) The Cambrian Mills, which opened in 1856, were the first steam-driven mills in Newton. The mill complex was beside the canal terminus on the east bank of the Severn. The Cambrian Mill was built in 1861 and rebuilt in 1875. They expanded to become the largest Welsh woollen mills. The local Newtown draper Pryce Pryce-Jones exploited the railway to found the first mail-order business for his flannel clothes. Pryce Jones launched his mail order business in 1859, selling Welsh flannels to local people. He had impressive ability as a promoter, and was personally responsible for the success of the