How big was the textile industry in pre-industrial and industrial era Britain?

by LovepeaceandStarTrek

In my literature it's portrayed as the largest and most profitable of several large businesses. How important was the textile industry how much did it bring in? How widespread were British textiles?

strixus

Making a note - I will come answer this when I awake - I'm a textile historian who knows a ton on this topic ... I'm just face down on my keyboard.