SUCCESSFUL entrepreneur and business speaker Deborah Meaden has spoken out online about an investment in Somerset that she is very proud of.

Originally established in 1772, Fox Brothers & Co LTD has produced woollen and worsted fabric for the past three centuries.

The Somerset business “combines traditional practices and techniques with revolutionary technology, to create a fine selection of textiles for the various seasons”.

Based in Wellington, the company is one of the few remaining cloth mills in England that still produces cloth entirely within the country.

The company has worked with famous names including Ralph Fiennes, otherwise known as Voldemort in the Harry Potter films, former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and luxury car brand Aston Martin among others.

The Dragon’s Den star knew of the Fox Brothers’ business for a while, with her living close to the Somerset mill and her husband going to school with two members of the Fox family.

Deborah initially invested in the textile mill company in June 2009, acquiring the business in its entirety in November 2009 with fellow shareholder Douglas Cordeaux.

Deborah spoke via a social media post to reflect on how “happy and proud” she was to invest in Fox Brothers & Co.

She said: “Over 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to save a historic textile mill in Somerset.

“It was in poor shape but full of brilliant people with generations of skill and so much love for the beautiful cloth they made.”

Deborah said that it wasn’t easy to get the business off the ground after coming in but, with the help of a friend, she managed to make some changes.

She said: “It was a sticky start while we won back confidence in delivery (quality was always there) and suppliers but with my friend Douglas at the helm, it hasn’t just survived it has thrived and is now stocked by high-end fashion houses all over the world.

“Nearly all the original team are with us and thank goodness because they hold the history and spirit of Fox Brothers in the skilled and caring hands.

“New people have, with passion, have joined and when I was there on Friday I felt a little shiver of pride and joy that I was able to be part of this great firm's history.

“In building the bridge between history and the future I realised we are simply custodians of this wonderful business.

“If you want to see what weaving fine British cloth looks like we have a new video up on the website… it’s mesmerising!! Just go to the home page."